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March 24, 2026
界jiè(jie4)
The character 界 (jiè) refers to a boundary or a limit, often used to denote a scope or extent within a certain context. It can signify a group or domain, such as in social circles or classifications in taxonomy, emphasizing the idea of separation between different realms or categories.
Strokes9Radical田Frequency#3039DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 界 is often reflected in traditional beliefs about societal roles and boundaries, such as in the classification of professions, social classes, and even in family hierarchies.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large 'jelly' (jiè sounds like jelly) wall separating different 'spheres' or 'domains' in a world of flavors. Each jelly wall represents a unique boundary, keeping different tastes apart, just like 界 defines the limits between groups.
Meanings of 界
jiè(jie4)
1boundary
2scope
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 界
界Simplified
9Strokes
田Radical
后接成分suffix-forming morpheme (suff.)Part of Speech
#3039Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1
Podcast: 界
Podcast: 界
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AI Study Notes for 界
Quick Contrast
领域 (lǐngyù, domain) - use 界 (jiè) when emphasizing boundaries between different categories, while 领域 (lǐngyù) focuses more on areas of expertise or fields.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a large 'jelly' (jiè sounds like jelly) wall separating different 'spheres' or 'domains' in a world of flavors. Each jelly wall represents a unique boundary, keeping different tastes apart, just like 界 defines the limits between groups.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 界 with similar terms like 边界 (biānjiè), which specifically means 'border' or 'boundary line.' 界 is more abstract and can refer to various domains or fields. It's often used in both formal and informal contexts, but its usage may vary depending on the specificity of the domain discussed.
HSK Study Tips
While 界 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it connects well with other vocabulary around categorization and classification such as 领域 (lǐngyù, field) and 圈 (quān, circle). Students should focus on its application in different contexts to reinforce understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 界 is often reflected in traditional beliefs about societal roles and boundaries, such as in the classification of professions, social classes, and even in family hierarchies.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 界 (jiè) with similar-sounding words like 解 (jiě, to solve or explain). For example, saying '我想知道这个界' (Wǒ xiǎng zhīdào zhège jiè) when they mean '解' is incorrect; it should be '我想知道这个解'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 界
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Grammar Patterns of 界
界 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
In Chinese culture, the concept of 界 is often reflected in traditional beliefs about societal roles and boundaries, such as in the classification of professions, social classes, and even in family hierarchies.
📜Proverb
‘有志者，事竟成’可以与‘界’字联系起来，因为在追求自己的领域时，志向和努力是成功的关键。
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, boundaries are often seen as personal and flexible, whereas in Chinese culture, they can be more rigidly defined, especially in social and familial contexts.
Word Family of 界
Compounds2
堺
疂
Words Containing This Character20
世界shìjièworld
全世界quánshìjièworldwide
界jièscope
世界杯shìjièbēiWorld Cup
外界wàijièexternal
境界jìngjièboundary
边界biānjièboundary邊界
界限jièxiànboundary
界面contact surface
各界all walks of life
世界大战world war世界大戰
界定jièdìngdefinition
世界级shìjièjíworld-class世界級
世界观worldview世界觀
自然界zìránjiènature
新闻界the press新聞界
世界纪录world record世界紀錄
眼界yǎnjièken
越界to cross a border
商界business world
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 世界 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 界
Some common phrases that include 界 (jiè) are '国际' (guójì), meaning 'international', and '人类社会界' (rénlèi shèhuì jiè), meaning 'the human social sphere'. These phrases demonstrate how 界 is used to describe various fields and domains.
While both 界 (jiè) and 边界 (biānjiè) refer to boundaries, 界 encompasses broader meanings such as scope and groups, while 边界 specifically refers to a physical boundary or border. Understanding this distinction can help in using these terms correctly in context.
界 (jiè) means 'boundary' or 'scope' in Chinese. It can refer to limits, extents, or even specific fields or groups, like in taxonomy. Additionally, it is often used in phrases related to different realms or domains.
You can use 界 (jiè) in sentences to indicate boundaries or scopes. For example, '文化界' (wénhuà jiè) means 'cultural sphere' or 'cultural circle', which refers to the realm of cultural activities. Another example is '科学界' (kēxué jiè), meaning 'scientific community'.
Common phrases include 世界 (shìjiè, world) and 界限 (jièxiàn, limit or boundary).
Yes, 界 can be used metaphorically to describe boundaries in concepts such as ideas or fields of study.
界 is always pronounced with the fourth tone, jiè; using a different tone would change the meaning.
