局

• Pinyin: jú
• Hanzi breakdown: 局 = 尸 (enclosure/body) + 句 (phrase/bounded unit) — a contained, bounded space or situation

Meaning

Bureau; office; situation; game or match. Used as a noun for a government department, the state of affairs, or as a measure word for rounds of a game.

As a noun, 局 refers to a bureau or office (e.g. 邮局 post office, 局长 bureau chief). It also describes a situation or state of affairs (e.g. 局面, 大局). As a measure word, it counts rounds or games of chess, mahjong, or competitive matches. This versatility makes it essential at intermediate level.

Examples

1. 他们下了两局棋，最后平局了。 They played two games of chess and ended in a draw.
2. 目前的局势对我们很不利。 The current situation is very unfavourable for us.
3. 他在公安局工作了十几年。 He has worked at the public security bureau for more than ten years.

Usage Guide

Context: government, games, current affairs

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这局棋下得很精彩。(This game of chess was played brilliantly.)
• 你要看清大局，不要只顾小事。(You need to see the big picture, not just focus on small matters.)

Don't Say

• 一局水 (Don't use 局 as a measure word for liquids or uncountable things — it only counts games, rounds, or institutional units)

Origin & History

The character 局 originally depicted a bent form, suggesting constraint or enclosure. Over time it came to mean a bounded space — an office, a situation, or a bounded game.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal