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境界 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
境界jìngjièboundaryHSK 7, n, 23 strokes, rank #11973, Very Hard
境界jìngjièstateHSK 7, n, 23 strokes, rank #11973, Very Hard
境界jìngjièrealmHSK 7, n, 23 strokes, rank #11973, Very Hard
jìngjiè(jing4jie4)jing jie T4
  1. 1boundary
  2. 2state
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March 24, 2026

境界jìngjiè(jing4jie4)

境界 (jìngjiè) refers to a boundary or realm, often in a metaphorical sense, indicating a state of existence or experience. It can denote physical borders, as well as abstract concepts like personal growth or artistic expression, reflecting one's internal or external limits.

Strokes23Frequency#11973DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

境界 is often discussed in the context of Chinese philosophy, particularly in Daoism and Buddhism, where achieving a higher境界 is seen as a goal of spiritual practice, symbolizing enlightenment or a deeper understanding of life.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'jing' (景) garden scene with a beautiful 'jie' (界) wall surrounding it, symbolizing the boundary of tranquility. The garden represents a state of peace that can only be experienced within these limits, helping you remember the meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 境界

jìngjiè(jing4jie4)
1boundary
2state
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About 境界

境界Simplified
23Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#11973Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 境界

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AI Study Notes for 境界

Quick Contrast

境界 (jìngjiè) vs 界限 (jièxiàn) — use 境界 for metaphorical or abstract boundaries, while 界限 is more concrete and often implies strict limits.

Usage Notes

境界 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in philosophy, literature, and discussions about personal development. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar terms like '界限' (jièxiàn), which refers specifically to limits rather than the broader concept of realm or state.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, students should focus on its nuanced meanings in different contexts. Connecting it with related words like '境况' (jìngkuàng, situation) or '境遇' (jìngyù, circumstances) can enhance understanding of its usage.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 境界 with '边界' (biānjiè, boundary) which has a more physical connotation. For instance, saying '我们的境界是河流' (Our realm is the river) is incorrect; it should be '我们的边界是河流' (Our boundary is the river).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 境界

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Component Characters

境jìngborder
HSK 314 strokes土
View full entry
界jièboundary
HSK 79 strokes田
View full entry

How to say boundary in Chinese

“boundary” in Chinese is境界jìngjiè

境界 (jìngjiè) refers to a boundary or realm, often in a metaphorical sense, indicating a state of existence or experience. It can denote physical borders, as well as abstract concepts like personal growth or artistic expression, reflecting one's internal or external limits.

When to use 境界

境界 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in philosophy, literature, and discussions about personal development. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar terms like '界限' (jièxiàn), which refers specifically to limits rather than the broader concept of realm or state.

境界 or something close to it

境界 (jìngjiè) vs 界限 (jièxiàn) — use 境界 for metaphorical or abstract boundaries, while 界限 is more concrete and often implies strict limits.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 境界 with '边界' (biānjiè, boundary) which has a more physical connotation. For instance, saying '我们的境界是河流' (Our realm is the river) is incorrect; it should be '我们的边界是河流' (Our boundary is the river).

Write 境界

境
界

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Cultural Notes for 境界

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western culture, the concept of personal boundaries is often emphasized, whereas in Chinese culture,境界 can imply a more collective understanding of boundaries associated with community and harmony.

Frequently Asked Questions about 境界

You can say, '他的艺术境界非常高' (His artistic realm is very high), which highlights a level of artistic achievement.

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