歧视

• Pinyin: qí shì
• Hanzi breakdown: 歧 = 止 (stop) + 支 (branch, phonetic); 视 = 礻(show/indicate) + 见 (see)

Meaning

Discrimination; to discriminate against. Treating people unfairly based on race, gender, age, religion, disability, or other characteristics.

A serious social and legal concept. Strongly negative. Common in discussions of human rights, workplace equality, anti-discrimination law, and social justice. Often collocates with 种族、性别、年龄.

Examples

1. 任何形式的种族歧视都是对人类基本尊严的严重践踏。 Any form of racial discrimination is a grave violation of basic human dignity.
2. 法律明确禁止用人单位在招聘过程中对求职者实施性别歧视。 The law clearly prohibits employers from discriminating against job applicants based on gender during hiring.
3. 她曾因口音遭受歧视，但最终凭借过硬的实力赢得了同事的认可。 She was once discriminated against because of her accent, but in the end she won her colleagues’ respect through sheer ability.

Usage Guide

Context: law, social justice, HR

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 企业有责任营造公平、无歧视的工作环境。(Enterprises have a responsibility to create a fair, discrimination-free working environment.)
• 对残障人士的歧视行为不仅违法，更是严重违背道德的。(Discriminatory behaviour against people with disabilities is not only illegal but also a serious moral violation.)

Don't Say

• 我歧视你 — avoid casual use; 歧视 is a serious accusation that requires a clear context of systemic or institutionalised unfair treatment

Origin & History

歧 (diverge/deviate from the norm) + 视 (view/regard) — to regard someone deviantly or unequally

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal