外交

• Pinyin: wài jiāo
• Hanzi breakdown: 外 = 夕 (evening) + 卜 (divination) — originally referring to what is outside; 交 = pictograph of a person with crossed legs, meaning 'to cross' or 'to interact'

Meaning

Diplomacy; foreign affairs. The management of relationships between countries.

Refers to the official interactions and negotiations between nations, including diplomatic policies, treaties, and international relations. Often appears in compound terms like 外交部 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and 外交官 (diplomat).

Examples

1. 两个国家的外交关系越来越好。 The diplomatic relations between the two countries are getting better.
2. 外交工作需要很强的沟通能力。 Diplomatic work requires strong communication skills.
3. 他在大学学的是外交专业。 He studied diplomacy as his major in university.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, international relations, news

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 他是一名外交官。(He is a diplomat.)
• 外交政策对国家发展很重要。(Foreign policy is very important for national development.)

Don't Say

• 我和邻居的外交很好。(Don't use 外交 for personal relationships — it specifically refers to international diplomacy. Use 关系 for personal relations.)

Origin & History

外 means 'outside' or 'foreign' and 交 means 'to interact' or 'to exchange'. Together they refer to international interactions.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal