联合国

• Pinyin: lián hé guó
• Hanzi breakdown: 联 = 耳 (ear) + 关 (relate), linking; 合 = united; 国 = 囗 (enclosure) + 玉 (jade), a treasure within borders — a country

Meaning

The United Nations. The international organisation of sovereign states founded in 1945.

The Chinese name for the United Nations, literally united nations. Commonly seen in news and political discussions. Related terms include 联合国大会 (UN General Assembly) and 联合国秘书长 (UN Secretary-General). China is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Examples

1. 联合国的总部在纽约。 The headquarters of the United Nations is in New York.
2. 联合国正在讨论气候变化的问题。 The United Nations is discussing the issue of climate change.
3. 中国是联合国的成员国之一。 China is one of the member states of the United Nations.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, news, international affairs

Tone: formal

Do Say

• 联合国有一百九十多个成员国。(The United Nations has over 190 member states.)
• 他在联合国工作了十年。(He worked at the United Nations for ten years.)

Don't Say

• 我们学校的联合国。(Don't use 联合国 casually for any group or alliance — it specifically means the UN. For a school alliance, say 学校联盟.)

Origin & History

联合 means united; 国 means nation or country. A direct translation of United Nations.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal