界

• Pinyin: jiè
• Hanzi breakdown: 界 = 田 (field) + 介 (between), boundary between fields

Meaning

Boundary; border; field; world; realm. A demarcation line or a defined sphere of activity.

Used both for physical boundaries (国界 national border, 边界 boundary) and abstract realms or fields (世界 world, 眼界 horizons/outlook). In professional contexts, refers to circles or communities (商界 business world, 学界 academic world). Also a biological classification term (动物界 animal kingdom).

Examples

1. 这条河就是两国之间的天然分界线。 This river is the natural boundary between the two countries.
2. 读万卷书，行万里路，才能开阔眼界。 Read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles — only then can you broaden your horizons.
3. 他在科学界享有很高的声誉，是公认的权威。 He enjoys a high reputation in the scientific community and is a recognized authority.

Usage Guide

Context: geography, professional, classification

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 这件事已经超出了我的能力范围界限。(This matter has exceeded the limits of my abilities.)
• 两国边界问题一直没有解决。(The border issue between the two countries remains unresolved.)

Don't Say

• 混淆界和介，如'分界'写成'分介' (界 is the correct character for boundary; 介 means 'between' but is not used alone for boundaries)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic character. 田 (field) + 介 (between) — originally meant the boundary between fields, extended to all boundaries and realms.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal