宏观

• Pinyin: hóng guān
• Hanzi breakdown: 宏 = 宀(roof radical) + 厷 (phonetic) — grand and spacious; 观 = 又 + 见 (see) — to observe

Meaning

Macro-level; macroscopic. Relating to large-scale, overall, or systemic perspectives on economics, society, or policy.

Primarily used in academic, economic, and policy contexts. 宏观经济 (macroeconomics) and 宏观调控 (macro regulation/control) are its most frequent collocations. Contrasted with 微观 (micro/microscopic). Essential vocabulary in discussions of government policy, economic planning, and social analysis.

Examples

1. 政府通过财政政策和货币政策对宏观经济进行调控，以保持经济运行在合理区间之内。 The government uses fiscal and monetary policy to regulate the macroeconomy and keep it operating within a reasonable range.
2. 要理解这场金融危机的根源，必须跳出个别企业的视角，从宏观的角度审视整个金融体系的结构性问题。 To understand the roots of this financial crisis, you have to move beyond the perspective of individual companies and examine the structural problems of the financial system from a macro-level view.
3. 研究人员建议在制定教育政策时，既要关注宏观数据，也要重视微观层面个体学生的实际需求。 Researchers recommend that when designing education policy, decision-makers should pay attention to macro data while also taking seriously the real needs of individual students at the micro level.

Usage Guide

Context: economics, policy, academia, analysis

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 从宏观角度来看，当前全球经济面临的最主要挑战是通货膨胀压力与经济增速放缓之间的深层矛盾。(From a macro perspective, the principal challenge facing the global economy at present is the deep-seated tension between inflationary pressure and slowing growth.)
• 该研究报告既提供了宏观层面的政策建议，也就具体行业的微观运营提出了针对性的改进方案。(The research report provides both macro-level policy recommendations and targeted improvement proposals for the micro-operations of specific industries.)

Don't Say

• 宏观 in casual conversation about personal or small-scale matters — it is a technical term reserved for systemic, large-scale analysis; use 整体 or 全面 for everyday contexts meaning 'overall' or 'comprehensive'

Origin & History

宏 (grand; large-scale) + 观 (view; perspective) — a large-scale or overarching view

Cultural Context

Era: Modern official use

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated/Professional