guójì: 国际 - International, Global

• Keywords: guoji, guójì, 国际, international, global, what does guoji mean, Chinese for international, international relations in Chinese, guoji airport, international business Chinese.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 国际 (guójì), which means “international.” This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical use in modern China. Discover how 国际 (guójì) is used in everything from politics and business to travel and daily life, and understand why it's a key term for anyone learning about China's place in the world.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): guójì
• Part of Speech: Adjective, Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: Pertaining to, existing, or occurring between two or more nations.
• In a Nutshell: 国际 (guójì) is the standard word for “international.” Think of it as describing anything that crosses national borders or involves multiple countries. From an international airport (国际机场) to international relations (国际关系), this word signifies a connection between China and the rest of the world. It's a fundamental and very common word you'll encounter constantly.

• 国 (guó): Country, nation, state. The character is a pictograph of a border or box (囗) surrounding a piece of jade (玉), a symbol of power and value. It visually represents a territory with its treasures or authority contained within.
• 际 (jì): Border, boundary, between, inter-. This character refers to the edge or the space where things meet. It signifies a connection point or the relationship between separate entities.
• When combined, 国际 (guójì) literally means “between countries” or “nation-to-nation.” This literal meaning perfectly captures the modern concept of “international.”

In Chinese, 国际 (guójì) is more than just a neutral descriptor; it often carries a connotation of prestige, modernity, and high standards. Since China's “Reform and Opening Up” (改革开放, gǎigé kāifàng), connecting with the 国际 community has been a major national goal. Therefore, things labeled 国际 are often perceived as being of higher quality, more advanced, or more cosmopolitan. For example, a 国际学校 (guójì xuéxiào), or “international school,” is not just a school for foreigners; it's seen as a premium educational institution with a global curriculum and better resources. Similarly, an apartment complex advertising 国际化 (guójìhuà), or “internationalized,” living standards is signaling luxury and modern amenities. This contrasts slightly with the Western usage of “international,” which is often a more neutral geographical or political descriptor. In China, attaching 国际 to a product, service, or concept is a powerful way to market it as world-class and aspirational. It reflects a societal pride in and desire for global integration and recognition.

国际 (guójì) is an extremely versatile word used across many domains.

• Travel and Daily Life: This is where you'll hear it most often as a beginner.
  • 国际机场 (guójì jīchǎng): International Airport
  • 国际航班 (guójì hángbān): International Flight
  • 国际学生 (guójì xuéshēng): International Student
  • 国际长途 (guójì chángtú): International long-distance (phone call)
• News and Politics: It is the cornerstone of discussing foreign affairs.
  • 国际新闻 (guójì xīnwén): International News
  • 国际关系 (guójì guānxì): International Relations
  • 国际社会 (guójì shèhuì): International Community
  • 国际法 (guójì fǎ): International Law
• Business and Economics: Essential for any discussion of global commerce.
  • 国际贸易 (guójì màoyì): International Trade
  • 国际公司 (guójì gōngsī): International Company (Multinational Corporation)
  • 国际标准 (guójì biāozhǔn): International Standard

• Example 1:
  • 我们要去国际机场接一位朋友。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen yào qù guójì jīchǎng jiē yí wèi péngyou.
  • English: We are going to the international airport to pick up a friend.
  • Analysis: A very common and practical sentence. 国际 here functions as an adjective modifying “airport” (机场).
• Example 2:
  • 她在北京大学学习国际关系。
  • Pinyin: Tā zài Běijīng Dàxué xuéxí guójì guānxì.
  • English: She studies international relations at Peking University.
  • Analysis: Here, 国际 is part of a set noun phrase, “international relations,” a common academic major.
• Example 3:
  • 这个品牌在国际上很有名。
  • Pinyin: Zhège pǐnpái zài guójì shàng hěn yǒumíng.
  • English: This brand is very famous internationally.
  • Analysis: The phrase 在…上 (zài…shàng) means “in terms of…” or “on the stage of…”. So, 在国际上 means “on the international stage” or simply “internationally.”
• Example 4:
  • 国际社会呼吁和平解决冲突。
  • Pinyin: Guójì shèhuì hūyù hépíng jiějué chōngtū.
  • English: The international community calls for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
  • Analysis: A formal sentence typical of news reports. 国际社会 is a standard term for the “international community.”
• Example 5:
  • 所有出口产品都必须符合国际标准。
  • Pinyin: Suǒyǒu chūkǒu chǎnpǐn dōu bìxū fúhé guójì biāozhǔn.
  • English: All export products must comply with international standards.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the use of 国际 in a business and regulatory context, implying a global benchmark for quality.
• Example 6:
  • 这次会议吸引了许多国际专家。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì huìyì xīyǐnle xǔduō guójì zhuānjiā.
  • English: This conference attracted many international experts.
  • Analysis: Shows 国际 used to describe people from various countries.
• Example 7:
  • 跨国公司的运作涉及复杂的国际法。
  • Pinyin: Kuàguó gōngsī de yùnzuò shèjí fùzá de guójì fǎ.
  • English: The operations of multinational corporations involve complex international law.
  • Analysis: 国际法 (international law) is another key political and legal term.
• Example 8:
  • 中国的国际地位越来越重要。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó de guójì dìwèi yuèláiyuè zhòngyào.
  • English: China's international status is becoming more and more important.
  • Analysis: This sentence reflects the cultural context of China's rising global influence.
• Example 9:
  • 我要打一个国际长途电话。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yào dǎ yí ge guójì chángtú diànhuà.
  • English: I need to make an international long-distance call.
  • Analysis: A practical, slightly dated (due to the internet) but still valid example of daily usage.
• Example 10:
  • 上海是一个非常国际化的大都市。
  • Pinyin: Shànghǎi shì yí ge fēicháng guójìhuà de dà dūshì.
  • English: Shanghai is a very internationalized metropolis.
  • Analysis: Note the use of 国际化 (guójìhuà), which means “internationalized” or “cosmopolitan.” The -化 (-huà) suffix turns the concept into a quality or process.

A common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 国际 (guójì), 世界 (shìjiè), and 全球 (quánqiú). They are not always interchangeable.

• 国际 (guójì) - International: Focuses on the relationships between two or more nations. It's about interaction across borders.
  • Correct: 国际关系 (guójì guānxì) - International relations
  • Incorrect: ~~世界关系~~ (shìjiè guānxì)
• 世界 (shìjiè) - World: Refers to the world as a whole, often in a general, cultural, or geographical sense. It's about the entire planet and its inhabitants as a single entity.
  • Correct: 世界地图 (shìjiè dìtú) - World map
  • Correct: 世界和平 (shìjiè hépíng) - World peace
  • Incorrect: ~~国际地图~~ (guójì dìtú) - “International map” sounds strange.
• 全球 (quánqiú) - Global: Emphasizes the entire globe as a single, interconnected system. It's a more modern term often used for systemic issues that affect everyone, like the economy, environment, and technology.
  • Correct: 全球变暖 (quánqiú biànnuǎn) - Global warming
  • Correct: 全球化 (quánqiúhuà) - Globalization
  • Incorrect: While you might hear 国际变暖, 全球 is far more common and precise as it affects the entire globe, not just relations between nations.

Mistake to Avoid: Using 世界 (shìjiè) when you mean interaction between countries. For example, to say “international trade,” you must use 国际贸易 (guójì màoyì), not ~~世界贸易~~.

• 国内 (guónèi) - Domestic, internal (to a country). This is the direct antonym of 国际.
• 国外 (guówài) - Abroad, overseas. Refers to any location outside of one's own country.
• 海外 (hǎiwài) - Overseas. Literally “beyond the seas,” often used to refer to diasporic communities or business operations abroad.
• 世界 (shìjiè) - World. A broader term for the entire planet and its inhabitants.
• 全球 (quánqiú) - Global. A more modern term emphasizing the interconnectedness of the entire planet as a single system.
• 外交 (wàijiāo) - Diplomacy, foreign affairs. This is the practice of conducting the 国际 relations between countries.
• 国际化 (guójìhuà) - Internationalization. The process of becoming international or adopting international standards.
• 联合国 (Liánhéguó) - United Nations. The most prominent 国际 organization in the world.
• 跨国 (kuàguó) - Transnational, multinational. Literally “crossing nations,” often used in 跨国公司 (kuàguó gōngsī), a multinational corporation.