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境 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
境jìngborderHSK 3, s, 14 strokes, radical 土, rank #15651, Medium
境jìngplaceHSK 3, s, 14 strokes, radical 土, rank #15651, Medium
境jìngconditionHSK 3, s, 14 strokes, radical 土, rank #15651, Medium
境jìngboundaryHSK 3, s, 14 strokes, radical 土, rank #15651, Medium
境jìngcircumstancesHSK 3, s, 14 strokes, radical 土, rank #15651, Medium
境jìngterritoryHSK 3, s, 14 strokes, radical 土, rank #15651, Medium
境jìngboundary, frontier; area, regionHSK 3, s, 14 strokes, radical 土, rank #15651, Medium
jìng(jing4)jing T4
  1. 1border
  2. 2place
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

境jìng(jing4)

The character 境 (jìng) primarily refers to a boundary or border, indicating the limits of a physical space or condition. It can also convey a sense of circumstances or situations, often used in contexts involving personal or environmental boundaries.

Strokes14Radical土Frequency#15651DifficultyMedium
Cultural note

The concept of boundaries is significant in Chinese culture, often relating to personal space and social etiquette. In historical contexts, 境 can also refer to territorial limits that define ancient states and their governance.

Memory tip

Imagine a 'JINGling' bell marking the edge of a territory. The structure of 境 shows a fence (the outer part) enclosing a space, representing a boundary or border. Visualize standing at the edge of a beautiful landscape, symbolizing your personal '境' or condition.

Meanings of 境

jìng(jing4)
1border
2place
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 境 means.

About 境

境Simplified
14Strokes
土Radical
处所词locative noun (loc.)Part of Speech
#15651Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L3

Podcast: 境

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Podcast: 境

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AI study notes for 境

Quick Contrast

界 (jiè) refers to a boundary or realm, but is often used in contexts of categorization or classification, while 境 (jìng) emphasizes the physical or situational limits.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with context; 境 can imply both physical borders and abstract conditions, so ensure clarity in usage. It's more formal than informal terms for boundaries, like 线 (xiàn). Common phrases include 境界 (jìngjiè) for 'boundary' and 情境 (qíngjìng) for 'situation'.

HSK Study Tips

While 境 is not an HSK level word, it connects well with HSK 3-4 vocabulary about places and conditions. Focus on using it in compound words to understand its broader meanings in context.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 境 with 线 (xiàn), leading to errors like saying 境 for a simple line or limit. Remember, 境 conveys a more complex idea of boundaries and conditions.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 境

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Etymology of 境

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 土 represents the meaning and 竟 represents the sound.

Memory hint

earth

Semantic (meaning)土
+
Phonetic (sound)竟
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

境 = 土 + 竟. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 境

IDS Structure⿰土竟
境Full character
=
土Tu3
left
竟jing4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 境?

How to say border in Chinese

“border” in Chinese is境jìng

The character 境 (jìng) primarily refers to a boundary or border, indicating the limits of a physical space or condition. It can also convey a sense of circumstances or situations, often used in contexts involving personal or environmental boundaries.

When to use 境

Be cautious with context; 境 can imply both physical borders and abstract conditions, so ensure clarity in usage. It's more formal than informal terms for boundaries, like 线 (xiàn). Common phrases include 境界 (jìngjiè) for 'boundary' and 情境 (qíngjìng) for 'situation'.

境 or something close to it

界 (jiè) refers to a boundary or realm, but is often used in contexts of categorization or classification, while 境 (jìng) emphasizes the physical or situational limits.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 境 with 线 (xiàn), leading to errors like saying 境 for a simple line or limit. Remember, 境 conveys a more complex idea of boundaries and conditions.

Write 境

境

Practice writing 境 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 境

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

我读了几本关于环____保护的书。

I read several books about environmental protection.

Common confusions with 境

境vs警
jǐng

Similar phonetics, but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Which one

Which one means “border”?

or

Example sentences for 境 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
洛杉矶穷人的境况仍未得到改善。

luò shān jī qióngrén de jìng kuàng réng wèi dédào gǎishàn。

Conditions for the poor in Los Angeles have not improved.
2
保持办公环境的整洁,尤其是你的桌子。

bǎochí bàngōng huánjìng de zhěngjié, yóuqí shì nǐ de zhuōzi。

Keep your office space looking good, particularly your desk.
3
这家航空公司亏损达3,500万美元,而澳航出资帮助其摆脱了困境。

zhè jiā hángkōng gōngsī kuīsǔn dá3,500 wàn měiyuán, ér ào háng chūzī bāngzhù qí bǎituō le kùnjìng。

The airline had losses of $35m and was bailed out by Qantas.
4
你不得不承认,你事实上是陷入了困境。

nǐ bùdébù chéngrèn, nǐ shìshíshàng shì xiànrù le kùnjìng。

You have to admit that you are, in fact, in difficulties.
5
该国的经济困境阻碍了其科研机构的工作进展。

gāi guó de jīngjì kùnjìng zǔ’ài le qí kēyán jīgòu de gōngzuò jìnzhǎn。

The country's economic plight is strangling its scientific institutions.
6
旅客通过入境检查后领取了自己的行李。

lǚkè tōngguò rùjìng jiǎnchá hòu lǐngqǔ le zìjǐ de xíngli。

The passengers went through immigration control and collected their baggage.
7
他们已经入境该国,并申请了永久居留权。

tāmen yǐjīng rùjìng gāi guó, bìng shēnqǐng le yǒngjiǔ jī liú quán。

They had entered the country and had applied for permanent residence.
8
我们陷入了难以言表的糟糕处境。

wǒmen xiànrù le nányǐ yán biǎo de zāogāo chǔjìng。

We were in a disaster situation that defies description.
9
英国铁路公司遭受了4,500万英镑的巨额损失后境况更加惨淡。

Yīng guó tiělù gōngsī zāoshòu le4,500 wàn yīngbàng de jù’é sǔnshī hòu jìng kuàng gèngjiā cǎn dàn。

The gloom deepened after a thumping £45m loss at British Rail.
10
这势必让我更加下定决心融入周围环境。

zhè shìbì ràng wǒ gèngjiā xià dìng juéxīn róngrù zhōuwéi huánjìng。

It must have reinforced my determination to blend into my surroundings.

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Cultural Notes for 境

💡Did you know?

‘境’字的构成与大地有关,表示一个地方的边界或环境,反映出中国文化中对自然环境的重视。

Word Family of 境

Words containing this character20
环境huánjìngenvironment環境
处境chǔjìngsituation (of a person)處境
困境kùnjìngplight
边境biānjìngfrontier邊境
境jìngborder
境内jìngnèidomestic境內
境界jìngjièboundary
境地jìngdìcircumstances
梦境mèngjìngdreamland夢境
出境chūjìngemigration
险境xiǎnjìngdanger zone險境
入境rùjìngimmigration
环境保护huánjìngbǎohùenvironmental protection環境保護
仙境xiānjìngfairyland
境况jìngkuàngcircumstances境況
心境xīnjìngmood
逆境nìjìngadversity
绝境juéjìngdesperate straits絕境
意境yìjìngcreative concept
境遇jìngyùcircumstance
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 境

What does 环境 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 境

Some common phrases that include 境 (jìng) are '境界' (jìngjiè), meaning 'realm' or 'boundary,' and '境况' (jìngkuàng), which refers to 'circumstances.' These phrases highlight the versatility of the character in describing both physical and situational boundaries.

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