环节

• Pinyin: huán jié
• Hanzi breakdown: 环 = ring/link; 节 = section/segment

Meaning

Link; segment; phase. A single part in a chain or process.

Used to describe stages in a process, segments of a program, or steps in a procedure. Emphasizes interconnection with other parts. Common in business, TV shows, and project management.

Examples

1. 生产过程中的每个环节都很重要。 Every link in the production process is important.
2. 接下来进入节目的互动环节。 Next, we enter the interactive segment of the program.
3. 这个环节出了问题，整个项目都会受影响。 If this part has problems, the whole project will be affected.

Usage Guide

Context: business, process, TV/media, project

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 哪个环节出了问题？(Which part went wrong?)
• 现在进入问答环节。(Now we enter the Q&A segment.)

Don't Say

• 这个环节很好吃 (环节 is for processes/segments, not physical objects)

Origin & History

Compound of 环 (ring, link) + 节 (section, segment), describing a connected section.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal