全局

• Pinyin: quán jú
• Hanzi breakdown: 全 = 人 + 王 (complete/whole); 局 = 尺 + 口 (situation/game — a bounded field of play)

Meaning

The overall situation; the big picture; the whole context viewed as an integrated whole rather than its individual parts.

从全局出发 (proceed from the overall situation), 顾全大局 (consider the overriding interest), 全局观 (the ability to see the big picture). Used in strategic, military, and governance contexts. Contrasts with 局部 (partial/local). Leadership is often assessed by the ability to maintain 全局意识.

Examples

1. 一名优秀的指挥官必须具备全局意识，在复杂多变的战场环境中始终把握整体态势。 An outstanding commander must have a big-picture mindset and keep a firm grasp of the overall situation on a complex, rapidly changing battlefield.
2. 他提醒与会者不要被眼前的局部利益所迷惑，要从全局的高度看待当前面临的发展问题。 He reminded the participants not to be misled by short-term, narrow interests, and to view the development challenges from the perspective of the whole.
3. 改革方案的设计者反复强调，任何局部调整都必须服从全局利益，不能因小失大。 The designers of the reform plan repeatedly stressed that any local adjustment must serve the overall interest and not sacrifice the big picture for small gains.

Usage Guide

Context: strategy, governance, military, management

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 在制定区域发展规划时，规划者必须具备统筹全局的战略眼光，避免各地区各自为政、造成资源的重复浪费。(When formulating regional development plans, planners must have the strategic vision to coordinate the overall situation and avoid fragmentation that leads to duplicated and wasted resources.)
• 面对复杂的外交局势，国家领导人需要在维护核心利益的同时，从全局出发审慎处理好与各方的利益关系。(Faced with a complex diplomatic situation, national leaders must handle relations with all parties prudently from an overall perspective, while safeguarding core interests.)

Don't Say

• 我看了整个全局 — 全局 is not a synonym for 全部 or 一切; it refers specifically to the overall strategic situation or big-picture configuration, not simply 'everything' in general

Origin & History

全 (whole/complete) + 局 (situation/configuration/game) — the complete situation; the overall configuration of affairs

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal