Chinese word

关系

Pronunciation

Pinyinguān xì

Meaning

  • nounrelationship

Example

我们的关系很亲密。wǒ men de guān xì hěn qīn mì

Our relationship is very close.

Illustration for 关系 (relationship)

More examples

这件事跟我没有关系。zhè jiàn shì gēn wǒ méi yǒu guān xì

This matter has nothing to do with me.

Core concept

A thread running between people or things, showing the bond or bearing they share.

Common phrases

  • 有关系yǒu guān xì

    be related

  • 亲密的关系qīn mì de guān xì

    close relationship

  • 建立关系jiàn lì guān xì

    establish a relationship

Similar words

影响yíng xiǎng: The change or result caused in one person or thing by another.
联系lián xì: The act of getting in touch with a person or group.

Definition in Chinese

表示人和人之间或人与事物之间的联系或牵连，常指亲密、利害、感情等方面的关系。biǎo shì rén hé rén zhī jiàn huò rén yǔ shì wù zhī jiān de lián xì huò qiān lián cháng zhǐ qīn mì lì hài gǎn qíng děng fāng miàn de guān xì

Word origin

关 (guān, "close or concern") + 系 (xì, "tie") combines the ideas of involvement and tying, giving the word its sense of an existing link.

Usage tips

  • Chinese uses this noun more freely for ties involving organizations, plans, causes, and facts, whereas English often chooses a different noun or verb phrase outside personal contexts.

Other meanings

  • connectionnoun
  • relevancenoun

Related words

  • 人际关系rén jì guān xìinterpersonal relationshipnoun
  • 关系网guān xì wǎngnetwork of connectionsnoun
  • 家庭关系jiā tíng guān xìfamily relationshipnoun

Word lists with this word