区域

• Pinyin: qū yù
• Hanzi breakdown: 区 = 匚 + 乂, district/area; 域 = 土 (earth) + 或, territory/domain

Meaning

Area; region; zone. A defined geographical or conceptual space.

Used in many contexts: 经济区域 (economic zone), 居住区域 (residential area), 禁止进入区域 (restricted area). More formal than 地区. Can be abstract: 舒适区域 (comfort zone).

Examples

1. 这个区域禁止吸烟。 Smoking is prohibited in this area.
2. 城市规划把这片区域划为商业区。 Urban planning designated this area as a commercial zone.
3. 不同区域的气候差异很大。 Different regions have very different climates.

Usage Guide

Context: geography, planning, administration

Tone: technical

Do Say

• 这个区域信号不好。(The signal is poor in this area.)
• 请在指定区域等候。(Please wait in the designated area.)

Don't Say

• 我住在上海区域。(Say 我住在上海 or 上海地区 — not 上海区域)

Origin & History

区 (qū, district) + 域 (yù, territory). A defined territorial area.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal