基准

• Pinyin: jī zhǔn
• Hanzi breakdown: 基 = 其 + 土 (base/ground); 准 = 氵 + 隹 (water level measuring, hence standard/accurate)

Meaning

Benchmark; standard; baseline. A reference point or standard against which comparisons or measurements are made.

Common in engineering, finance, law, and policy contexts. 基准利率 (benchmark interest rate) is a key financial term. Also used in construction (baseline elevation) and scientific measurement (reference standard).

Examples

1. 中央银行下调基准利率，旨在刺激经济增长并降低企业的融资成本。 The central bank lowered the benchmark interest rate to stimulate economic growth and reduce companies’ financing costs.
2. 这项测试将以国际行业标准作为评估基准，确保结果具有可比性和权威性。 This test will use international industry standards as its benchmark to ensure the results are comparable and authoritative.
3. 工程师以海拔零米作为测量基准，精确计算了大坝建设所需的高度数据。 Using sea level as the baseline, the engineers precisely calculated the height measurements needed to build the dam.

Usage Guide

Context: finance, engineering, policy

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 人力资源部门需制定合理的绩效评估基准，以确保考核结果的公正性与一致性。(The human resources department needs to establish reasonable performance evaluation benchmarks to ensure the fairness and consistency of assessment results.)
• 国际标准化组织为各行业设定了明确的技术基准，以推动全球范围内的质量统一与互认。(The International Organization for Standardization sets clear technical benchmarks for various industries to promote global quality unification and mutual recognition.)

Don't Say

• 他的成绩是我的基准 — 基准 refers to objective, established reference standards; use 参照/标杆 when making informal personal comparisons

Origin & History

基 (foundation/base) + 准 (accurate/standard)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Professional