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March 24, 2026
关系(關係)guānxì(guan1xi4)
The term 关系 (guān xì) refers to the concept of relationships or connections, whether personal or professional. It is commonly used to discuss how various elements affect one another, and is particularly significant in social contexts where networking is key, such as in business or personal interactions.
Strokes13Frequency#335DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 关系 is crucial for social interactions, as many business deals and personal favors rely on these connections. The concept of guanxi highlights the importance of building and maintaining relationships over time.
Memory Tip
Imagine a web of connections where each thread represents a relationship. The character 关 (guan) looks like a door (门) that opens up to these connections, while 系 (xi) indicates tying or linking, emphasizing how relationships bind people together.
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AI Study Notes for 关系
Quick Contrast
关系 (guānxì) vs 联系 (liánxì) — use 关系 for interpersonal or social connections, and 联系 for more general or formal connections.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 关系 with similar words like 关联 (guān lián), which has a more formal tone. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, but ensure you pronounce it with the correct tones: guān (first tone) and xì (fourth tone) to avoid misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 3 word, 关系 connects to other vocabulary about family (家庭, jiā tíng) and friendship (友谊, yǒu yì). Focus on using it in sentences to describe how people or things are related to each other.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 关系 (guān xì) with 关系到 (guān xì dào), which means 'to concern' or 'to relate to' something. For example, saying '这件事是我的关系' (zhè jiàn shì shì wǒ de guān xì) instead of '这件事与我有关' (zhè jiàn shì yǔ wǒ yǒu guān) is incorrect.
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Pronunciation of 关系
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The term 关系 (guān xì) refers to the concept of relationships or connections, whether personal or professional. It is commonly used to discuss how various elements affect one another, and is particularly significant in social contexts where networking is key, such as in business or personal interactions.
When to use 关系
Be careful not to confuse 关系 with similar words like 关联 (guān lián), which has a more formal tone. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, but ensure you pronounce it with the correct tones: guān (first tone) and xì (fourth tone) to avoid misunderstandings.
关系 or something close to it
关系 (guānxì) vs 联系 (liánxì) — use 关系 for interpersonal or social connections, and 联系 for more general or formal connections.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 关系 (guān xì) with 关系到 (guān xì dào), which means 'to concern' or 'to relate to' something. For example, saying '这件事是我的关系' (zhè jiàn shì shì wǒ de guān xì) instead of '这件事与我有关' (zhè jiàn shì yǔ wǒ yǒu guān) is incorrect.
Write 关系
关
系
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Grammar Patterns of 关系
关系 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 6 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.
