系统

• Pinyin: xì tǒng
• Hanzi breakdown: 系 = 糹(thread) + 乃 (phonetic); 统 = 糹(thread/system) + 充 (fill, phonetic)

Meaning

System; systematic. Refers to an organised set of elements working together, or describes something done in a thorough, organised way.

Used in technology (操作系统 = operating system), biology (消化系统 = digestive system), education, and management. As an adjective it means systematic or comprehensive. 系统地学习 (study systematically) is a common phrasing.

Examples

1. 学习一门语言需要系统的方法，不能太随意。 Learning a language requires a systematic approach — you can't be too casual about it.
2. 这款软件的系统非常稳定，很少出问题。 This software's system is very stable and rarely has problems.
3. 她花了一年时间系统地整理了公司的档案。 She spent a year systematically organising the company's files.

Usage Guide

Context: technology, education, work

Tone: formal

Do Say

• 请重启系统，看看问题有没有解决。(Please restart the system and see if the problem is resolved.)
• 我们需要建立一套完整的管理系统。(We need to establish a complete management system.)

Don't Say

• 不要把'系统'当成简单的'方法' — '系统'强调整体结构，不仅仅是一个技巧或步骤 (Don't use 系统 as a synonym for a simple 'method' — it implies a structured, integrated whole)

Origin & History

系 (connect/tie) + 统 (unify/lineage) — together meaning 'a connected and unified whole'.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal