lián hé guó: 联合国 - United Nations

• Keywords: United Nations in Chinese, lián hé guó, 联合国, UN in Chinese, international organizations in Chinese, lián hé guó meaning, Chinese politics, Chinese for international relations, UN Security Council China.
• Summary: The Chinese term for the United Nations is 联合国 (lián hé guó). This is a direct, literal translation meaning “United Nations” and is the standard term used in all formal contexts, including news, politics, and education. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China's role in the 联合国 is a significant aspect of its foreign policy and a frequent topic in Chinese media, making this a crucial term for understanding discussions on global affairs.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): lián hé guó
• Part of Speech: Proper Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: The United Nations (UN), an international organization for maintaining international peace, security, and cooperation.
• In a Nutshell: 联合国 (lián hé guó) is the official and only name for the United Nations in Mandarin Chinese. It's used exactly as its English counterpart is, appearing in news reports, government documents, and academic discussions about international diplomacy and global issues. It is a formal term that carries significant weight.

• 联 (lián): To unite, join, or connect. This character often implies linking things together, as seen in the word for the internet, 互联网 (hùliánwǎng).
• 合 (hé): To combine, join, or fit together. It suggests a sense of agreement and coming together into a single whole, like closing a book or putting two hands together.
• 国 (guó): Country, state, or nation. The character is a pictograph of borders (囗) surrounding a piece of jade (玉), symbolizing the precious land and people within a nation's territory.

When combined, 联 (unite) + 合 (combine) + 国 (nations) forms a very clear and literal translation: United Nations.

The term 联合国 is more than just a name; it represents a key arena for China's modern global identity. As one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (安理会常任理事国 - Ānlǐhuì Chángrèn Lǐshìguó), China views the 联合国 as a primary stage to project its influence, protect its national interests, and promote its vision of a multipolar world order. In Western discourse, the UN is often discussed in terms of its successes and failures, sometimes with a degree of cynicism. In official Chinese discourse, however, the 联合国 is consistently framed as a vital institution for global governance and multilateralism. Chinese state media frequently highlights China's contributions to UN peacekeeping missions, its role in development initiatives, and its use of the veto power in the Security Council. For China, its prominent position in the 联合国 is a source of national pride and a symbol of its status as a major world power, contrasting with its “century of humiliation” before the founding of the People's Republic.

• In Formal Settings: This is the term's primary environment. You will hear and see 联合国 constantly in TV news broadcasts (especially CCTV's Xinwen Lianbo), read it in newspapers like the People's Daily (人民日报), and find it in all government statements concerning foreign affairs.
• Common Abbreviations: While English speakers frequently shorten “the United Nations” to “the UN,” a similar one-character abbreviation is not common in Chinese. Instead, specific bodies are abbreviated:
  • 联大 (Lián Dà): Short for 联合国大会 (Liánhéguó Dàhuì), the UN General Assembly. This is a very common abbreviation.
  • 安理会 (Ānlǐhuì): Short for 安全理事会 (Ānquán Lǐshìhuì), the Security Council.
• In Education: The structure, function, and history of the 联合国 are standard topics in Chinese middle and high school politics and history classes.
• In Everyday Conversation: While not a “daily life” word, it is used by ordinary people when discussing current events, international politics, or global crises. For example, two friends might discuss a recent 联合国 resolution they saw on the news.

• Example 1:
  • 中国是联合国安全理事会的常任理事国。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó shì Liánhéguó Ānquán Lǐshìhuì de chángrèn lǐshìguó.
  • English: China is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
  • Analysis: A straightforward factual statement. This is a very common sentence structure for describing a country's status within an organization.
• Example 2:
  • 联合国秘书长呼吁各方保持冷静。
  • Pinyin: Liánhéguó mìshūzhǎng hūyù gèfāng bǎochí lěngjìng.
  • English: The United Nations Secretary-General called on all parties to remain calm.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates how the term is used as the subject of a sentence, often followed by a title like “Secretary-General” (秘书长).
• Example 3:
  • 这次会议将在联合国总部举行。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì huìyì jiàng zài Liánhéguó zǒngbù jǔxíng.
  • English: This meeting will be held at the United Nations headquarters.
  • Analysis: Shows the use of 联合国 to refer to a physical location or institution, “UN Headquarters” (联合国总部).
• Example 4:
  • 他们的目标是符合联合国的可持续发展目标。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen de mùbiāo shì fúhé Liánhéguó de kě chíxù fāzhǎn mùbiāo.
  • English: Their goals are in line with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Analysis: This example shows 联合国 used in a possessive sense (联合国的…), linking it to its initiatives.
• Example 5:
  • 许多国家向联合国请求了援助。
  • Pinyin: Xǔduō guójiā xiàng Liánhéguó qǐngqiú le yuánzhù.
  • English: Many countries have requested aid from the United Nations.
  • Analysis: The structure “向…请求” (xiàng… qǐngqiú) means “to request from…” and is common in formal contexts involving aid or official requests.
• Example 6:
  • 联合国大会通过了一项新决议。
  • Pinyin: Liánhéguó Dàhuì tōngguò le yí xiàng xīn juéyì.
  • English: The UN General Assembly passed a new resolution.
  • Analysis: Note the use of “联合国大会” (UN General Assembly). “通过” (tōngguò) means “to pass” and “决议” (juéyì) is “resolution.”
• Example 7:
  • 你关注最近联合国的新闻了吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ guānzhù zuìjìn Liánhéguó de xīnwén le ma?
  • English: Have you been following the recent UN news?
  • Analysis: This shows how the term can be used in a more conversational, though still educated, question about current events.
• Example 8:
  • 联合国维和部队被派往冲突地区。
  • Pinyin: Liánhéguó wéihé bùduì bèi pàiwǎng chōngtū dìqū.
  • English: The United Nations peacekeeping forces were sent to the conflict zone.
  • Analysis: The passive voice with “被” (bèi) is used here to show that the forces “were sent.” “维和部队” (wéihé bùduì) is the specific term for “peacekeeping forces.”
• Example 9:
  • 这个组织的行动违背了联合国宪章。
  • Pinyin: Zhège zǔzhī de xíngdòng wéibèi le Liánhéguó Xiànzhāng.
  • English: This organization's actions violated the United Nations Charter.
  • Analysis: “宪章” (Xiànzhāng) means “Charter,” the foundational treaty of the UN. This demonstrates a highly formal, legalistic usage.
• Example 10:
  • 他被任命为联合国儿童基金会的新任大使。
  • Pinyin: Tā bèi rènmìng wéi Liánhéguó Értóng Jījīnhuì de xīnrèn dàshǐ.
  • English: He was appointed as the new ambassador for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
  • Analysis: This shows how 联合国 can be a prefix for its many different agencies and funds, like UNICEF.

• Mistake: Over-abbreviating like in English.
  • English speakers constantly say “the UN.” In Chinese, using just “联 (lián)” as a standalone abbreviation is incorrect and will sound strange. You must use the full term 联合国, or a well-established abbreviation for a specific body like 联大 (Lián Dà) for the General Assembly.
  • Incorrect: 我在看关于联的新闻。(Wǒ zài kàn guānyú Lián de xīnwén.)
  • Correct: 我在看关于联合国的新闻。(Wǒ zài kàn guānyú Liánhéguó de xīnwén.)
• Nuance: Formality.
  • While “the UN” in English can be used quite casually, 联合国 in Chinese almost always carries a formal, serious tone. It is not typically a word used in lighthearted or slang-filled conversations. Its context is firmly rooted in politics, law, and global affairs.
• Mistake: Confusing with other organizations.
  • 联合国 is specific to the United Nations. Do not use it as a generic term for “international organization.” Be precise.
  • European Union: 欧盟 (Ōuméng)
  • World Trade Organization: 世界贸易组织 (Shìjiè Màoyì Zǔzhī) or 世贸组织 (Shìmào Zǔzhī)
  • NATO: 北约 (Běiyuē)

• 安理会 (Ānlǐhuì) - Abbreviation for the UN Security Council (安全理事会), the most powerful body of the UN.
• 联大 (Lián Dà) - Common abbreviation for the UN General Assembly (联合国大会).
• 秘书长 (mìshūzhǎng) - Secretary-General, the head of the United Nations.
• 常任理事国 (chángrèn lǐshìguó) - Permanent member state, specifically referring to the five permanent members of the Security Council (China, France, Russia, UK, US).
• 世界卫生组织 (Shìjiè Wèishēng Zǔzhī) - The World Health Organization (WHO), a specialized agency of the UN. Often abbreviated to 世卫组织 (Shìwèi Zǔzhī).
• 国际 (guójì) - International. This adjective describes the scope and nature of the UN's work.
• 外交 (wàijiāo) - Diplomacy; foreign affairs. The primary activity that takes place at the UN.
• 和平 (hépíng) - Peace. The core mission of the United Nations is to maintain international peace and security.
• 决议 (juéyì) - Resolution. A formal text adopted by a UN body.
• 会员国 (huìyuánguó) - Member state. A country that is a member of the UN.