lián hé guó jiào kē wén zǔ zhī: 联合国教科文组织 - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

• Keywords: lián hé guó jiào kē wén zǔ zhī, 联合国教科文组织, UNESCO in Chinese, United Nations in Chinese, Chinese world heritage, 联合国, 组织, 世界遗产, cultural preservation China.
• Summary: Learn the meaning and use of 联合国教科文组织 (lián hé guó jiào kē wén zǔ zhī), the official Chinese name for UNESCO. This guide breaks down each character, explains the organization's cultural significance in protecting China's vast heritage, and provides practical example sentences. Discover how China interacts with UNESCO and its vital role in designating World Heritage Sites like the Great Wall and the Terracotta Army.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): lián hé guó jiào kē wén zǔ zhī
• Part of Speech: Proper Noun
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
• In a Nutshell: This is the official and literal Chinese name for UNESCO. It's a very formal term constructed by combining the words for “United Nations” (联合国) with characters representing “Education” (教), “Science” (科), “Culture” (文), and “Organization” (组织). While it's a long name, it is widely recognized in media, government, and tourism, especially when discussing the prestigious World Heritage Sites (世界遗产) located throughout China.

This long term is best understood as a combination of smaller, logical words:

• 联合国 (lián hé guó) - United Nations
  • 联 (lián): To unite, join, or connect.
  • 合 (hé): To combine, join, or suit.
  • 国 (guó): Country or nation. Together, 联合国 means “United Nations”.
• 教 (jiào): Represents 教育 (jiàoyù) - Education.
• 科 (kē): Represents 科学 (kēxué) - Science.
• 文 (wén): Represents 文化 (wénhuà) - Culture.
• 组织 (zǔ zhī) - Organization
  • 组 (zǔ): To form a group, to organize.
  • 织 (zhī): To weave. The image is of “weaving” people or parts into a structured group.

These parts are assembled literally to mean the “United-Nations-Education-Science-Culture-Organization,” making its purpose clear from its name.

The 联合国教科文组织 (UNESCO) holds a special place of prestige in modern China, primarily due to its World Heritage program. For a nation with a 5,000-year history, having its landmarks and traditions recognized on a global stage is a significant source of national pride (民族自豪感 - mínzú zìháogǎn). In the West, UNESCO might be seen as a somewhat distant international bureaucracy. In China, however, its name frequently appears in the news and is a household concept for anyone interested in culture or travel. When 联合国教科文组织 adds a new Chinese location to the World Heritage List (世界遗产名录), it's a major national event celebrated in the media. This designation is not just an honor; it's a powerful driver for tourism and a validation of China's cultural “soft power.” It aligns with the deep cultural value of preserving history and showcasing China's contribution to world civilization.

This term is almost exclusively used in formal contexts. You will encounter it in:

• News Broadcasts: Especially on state media like CCTV when reporting on cultural preservation, international relations, or new heritage sites.
• Official Documents: Government reports, academic papers, and policy statements.
• Tourism and Museums: On plaques and in guidebooks at World Heritage Sites.
• Abbreviation: In headlines or when the context is very clear, it is sometimes shortened to 教科文组织 (jiàokēwén zǔzhī), dropping the “United Nations” part.

It is highly unlikely you would use this long, formal name in a casual chat with a friend. It is reserved for situations requiring precision and formality.

• Example 1:
  • 长城是第一批被联合国教科文组织列入世界遗产名录的中国古迹之一。
  • Pinyin: Chángchéng shì dì yī pī bèi lián hé guó jiào kē wén zǔ zhī lièrù shìjiè yíchǎn mínglù de Zhōngguó gǔjī zhī yī.
  • English: The Great Wall is one of the first Chinese historical sites to be included in the World Heritage List by UNESCO.
  • Analysis: This sentence demonstrates the most common context for the term: discussing a World Heritage Site. The passive structure “被 (bèi)” is used to show the action was done by UNESCO.
• Example 2:
  • 中国向联合国教科文组织提交了新的世界遗产申请。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó xiàng lián hé guó jiào kē wén zǔ zhī tíjiāo le xīn de shìjiè yíchǎn shēnqǐng.
  • English: China submitted a new World Heritage application to UNESCO.
  • Analysis: This shows the organization as the recipient of an official action. “向 (xiàng)” means “to” or “towards.”
• Example 3:
  • 这次会议由联合国教科文组织和中国政府共同举办。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì huìyì yóu lián hé guó jiào kē wén zǔ zhī hé Zhōngguó zhèngfǔ gòngtóng jǔbàn.
  • English: This conference was jointly organized by UNESCO and the Chinese government.
  • Analysis: The structure “由…举办 (yóu…jǔbàn)” means “hosted by…” or “organized by…” It's common in formal announcements.
• Example 4:
  • 联合国教科文组织的总部设在法国巴黎。
  • Pinyin: Lián hé guó jiào kē wén zǔ zhī de zǒngbù shè zài Fàguó Bālí.
  • English: UNESCO's headquarters are located in Paris, France.
  • Analysis: A simple, factual statement. “总部 (zǒngbù)” means headquarters.
• Example 5:
  • 他的研究领域是联合国教科文组织在保护文化多样性方面的作用。
  • Pinyin: Tā de yánjiū lǐngyù shì lián hé guó jiào kē wén zǔ zhī zài bǎohù wénhuà duōyàngxìng fāngmiàn de zuòyòng.
  • English: His field of research is the role of UNESCO in protecting cultural diversity.
  • Analysis: This illustrates its use in an academic context. “在…方面 (zài…fāngmiàn)” means “in the aspect of…” or “regarding…”
• Example 6:
  • 成为联合国教科文组织的亲善大使是一种极大的荣誉。
  • Pinyin: Chéngwéi lián hé guó jiào kē wén zǔ zhī de qīnshàn dàshǐ shì yī zhǒng jí dà de róngyù.
  • English: It is a great honor to become a Goodwill Ambassador for UNESCO.
  • Analysis: “亲善大使 (qīnshàn dàshǐ)” is the official term for a Goodwill Ambassador.
• Example 7:
  • 每年，联合国教科文组织都会发布一份关于全球教育的报告。
  • Pinyin: Měi nián, lián hé guó jiào kē wén zǔ zhī dūhuì fābù yī fèn guānyú quánqiú jiàoyù de bàogào.
  • English: Every year, UNESCO releases a report on global education.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the “Education” (教) part of the organization's mission.
• Example 8:
  • 昆曲在2001年被联合国教科文组织列为非物质文化遗产。
  • Pinyin: Kūnqǔ zài èr líng líng yī nián bèi lián hé guó jiào kē wén zǔ zhī liè wèi fēiwùzhì wénhuà yíchǎn.
  • English: Kunqu Opera was listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2001.
  • Analysis: This shows the term used in relation to Intangible Cultural Heritage (非物质文化遗产), another key UNESCO program.
• Example 9:
  • 这篇新闻报道直接引用了教科文组织的官方声明。
  • Pinyin: Zhè piān xīnwén bàodào zhíjiē yǐnyòng le jiàokēwén zǔzhī de guānfāng shēngmíng.
  • English: This news report directly quoted the official statement from UNESCO.
  • Analysis: An example of the shorter, abbreviated form 教科文组织 (jiàokēwén zǔzhī) being used when the context is clear.
• Example 10:
  • 联合国教科文组织致力于促进科学合作以应对气候变化。
  • Pinyin: Lián hé guó jiào kē wén zǔ zhī zhìlìyú cùjìn kēxué hézuò yǐ yìngduì qìhòu biànhuà.
  • English: UNESCO is committed to promoting scientific cooperation to address climate change.
  • Analysis: This highlights the “Science” (科) aspect of its mission. “致力于 (zhìlìyú)” means “is dedicated/committed to.”

• Mistake 1: Confusing it with the UN.
  • Incorrect: 我认为联合国教科文组织应该派遣维和部队。(Wǒ rènwéi Lián hé guó jiào kē wén zǔ zhī yīnggāi pàiqiǎn wéihé bùduì.) - “I think UNESCO should send peacekeeping troops.”
  • Why it's wrong: Peacekeeping is the role of the 联合国 (Liánhéguó), the United Nations as a whole. 联合国教科文组织 is a specialized agency focused on education, science, and culture. It has no military or peacekeeping function.
• Mistake 2: Overusing it in casual speech.
  • This term is very formal and long. In a casual conversation, you would refer to the *concept* rather than the full name of the organization.
  • Awkward: “我刚看了个联合国教科文组织的纪录片 (Wǒ gāng kàn le ge lián hé guó jiào kē wén zǔ zhī de jìlùpiàn).” - “I just watched a UNESCO documentary.”
  • More Natural: “我刚看了个关于世界遗产的纪录片 (Wǒ gāng kàn le ge guānyú shìjiè yíchǎn de jìlùpiàn).” - “I just watched a documentary about World Heritage.”

• 联合国 (Liánhéguó) - The United Nations. The parent organization of UNESCO.
• 世界遗产 (Shìjiè Yíchǎn) - World Heritage. The most famous program run by UNESCO, and the context in which the organization is most often mentioned in China.
• 保护 (bǎohù) - To protect; protection. A verb frequently used with UNESCO's work, e.g., 保护文化遗产 (bǎohù wénhuà yíchǎn) - to protect cultural heritage.
• 非物质文化遗产 (fēiwùzhì wénhuà yíchǎn) - Intangible Cultural Heritage. An important UNESCO list that includes traditions, performing arts, and social practices like Peking Opera or acupuncture.
• 文化 (wénhuà) - Culture. One of the three core pillars of the organization's name and mission.
• 教育 (jiàoyù) - Education. Another core pillar of UNESCO's mission.
• 科学 (kēxué) - Science. The third core pillar.
• 组织 (zǔzhī) - Organization. The general word for an organization and the final part of this term.
• 国际 (guójì) - International. This adjective describes the nature of organizations like UNESCO.