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March 24, 2026
外交wàijiāo(wai4jiao1)
外交 (wàijiāo) refers to the practice of managing international relations and conducting negotiations between nations. It encompasses activities related to diplomacy, foreign affairs, and the representation of a country in international settings. This term is often used in political contexts and discussions about international cooperation.
Frequency#7129DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
外交 is significant in China's history, particularly in the context of its rise as a global power and its efforts to engage in international diplomacy through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative.
Memory Tip
Think of 外 (wài), meaning 'outside,' and 交 (jiāo), meaning 'to exchange' or 'to intersect.' Imagine a diplomat standing 'outside' a country, exchanging ideas with others, which helps you remember that 外交 relates to foreign affairs and diplomacy.
Meanings of 外交
wàijiāo(wai4jiao1)
1diplomacy
2diplomatic
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About 外交
外交Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7129Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 外交
Podcast: 外交
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AI Study Notes for 外交
Quick Contrast
外交 (wàijiāo) vs 外事 (wàishì) — use 外交 for broader diplomatic activities; 外事 is more specific to foreign affairs.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 外 (wài), meaning 'outside,' and 交 (jiāo), meaning 'to exchange' or 'to intersect.' Imagine a diplomat standing 'outside' a country, exchanging ideas with others, which helps you remember that 外交 relates to foreign affairs and diplomacy.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 外交 with related terms like 国际 (guójì), which means 'international.' Common collocations include 外交政策 (wàijiāo zhèngcè) for 'diplomatic policy.' The term is typically used in formal contexts, so avoid using it casually.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 外交 connects well with terms related to politics and international relations that learners might encounter at this level. Students should focus on understanding its usage in context, especially in discussions about global issues.
Cultural Note
外交 is significant in China's history, particularly in the context of its rise as a global power and its efforts to engage in international diplomacy through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 外交 with related terms like 外国 (wàiguó), which means 'foreign country.' Always remember that 外交 specifically refers to diplomacy and foreign affairs, not just anything foreign.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 外交
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Grammar Patterns of 外交
外交 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Prince Sadruddin lavished praise on Britain's contributions to world diplomacy.
Cultural Notes for 外交
🏮Cultural insight
外交 is significant in China's history, particularly in the context of its rise as a global power and its efforts to engage in international diplomacy through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, diplomacy often emphasizes bilateral relations, whereas in China, there is a strong focus on multilateral engagements and harmony in international relations.
Frequently Asked Questions about 外交
外交 refers specifically to diplomatic activities and foreign affairs, while 国际 focuses more broadly on international relations.
It's typically used in formal contexts, like discussions about politics or international relations, rather than casual conversation.
Common phrases include 外交关系 (wàijiāo guānxì) for 'diplomatic relations' and 外交官 (wàijiāo guān) for 'diplomat'.
