社会

• Pinyin: shè huì
• Hanzi breakdown: 社 = 礻(spirit/altar) + 土 (earth), originally an earth god's altar where communities gathered; 会 = simplified from 會, meaning to gather or meet

Meaning

Society; community. The organised system of people living together with shared laws, values, and institutions.

A fundamental word in Chinese for discussing social issues, community life, and civilisation. Used in contexts ranging from casual observation to academic discourse. Common collocations: 社会问题 (social issues), 社会发展 (social development), 社会经验 (life experience). Also appears in the popular internet phrase 社会人 (someone streetwise).

Examples

1. 现代社会的发展速度越来越快。 Modern society is developing faster and faster.
2. 每个人都应该为社会做出贡献。 Everyone should contribute to society.
3. 大学生毕业后就要走向社会了。 After university students graduate, they enter the real world.

Usage Guide

Context: sociology, news, education, daily life

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 社会在不断进步。(Society is constantly progressing.)
• 他很有社会经验。(He has a lot of real-world experience.)

Don't Say

• 我的社会有五个人。(Don't use 社会 for a small group of friends — 社会 means society at large. For a small group, use 圈子 or 团体.)

Origin & History

社 originally meant an altar to the earth god, representing a community gathering place; 会 means to gather or meet. Together: a gathering of people in community — society.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal