有机

• Pinyin: yǒu jī
• Hanzi breakdown: 有 = 月 + 又 (flesh + hand — to have/possess); 机 = 木 + 几 (wood + mechanism — organic/systematic)

Meaning

Organic; of or containing carbon compounds. Also: systematically integrated, forming a coherent whole.

Has two main uses: (1) Scientific/agricultural: 有机化学 (organic chemistry), 有机食品 (organic food), 有机农业 (organic farming); (2) Philosophical/systemic: 有机结合 (organic integration), 有机整体 (organic whole), 有机联系 (organic connection). The second usage indicating deep integration is common in political and academic discourse.

Examples

1. 有机农业近十年高速增长，但认证和监管滞后，也让有机标签乱象频发。 Organic agriculture has grown rapidly over the past decade, but lagging certification and oversight have also led to frequent chaos over organic labels.
2. 他在科普书中用生动语言讲清了有机化学的基本概念和魅力。 In his popular science book, he used vivid language to explain the basic concepts and appeal of organic chemistry.
3. 推进改革不能碎片化，而要把各领域改革作为一个有机整体统筹推进。 Reform should not be fragmented; it should be coordinated across all fields as an organic whole.

Usage Guide

Context: science, agriculture, philosophy, policy

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 把传统中医养生和现代营养科学有机结合，能互补互证，也为健康管理开新路。(Organically combining traditional Chinese medicine health practices with modern nutrition science can complement and corroborate each other and open a new path for health management.)
• 这家农场严格按有机标准生产，不用化肥农药，产品已进入欧洲高端市场。(This farm follows organic standards strictly, uses no chemical fertilizers or pesticides, and its products have entered the European premium market.)

Don't Say

• 这个故事有机地写得很好 — 有机 does not mean 'naturally well-written'; use 自然流畅 (natural and smooth) or 浑然天成 (formed naturally) for aesthetic quality; 有机 refers to organic matter or systematic integration only

Origin & History

有 (to have/possessing — hand holding meat; possession) + 机 (organic/mechanism — 木 wood + 几 mechanism; from the mechanism of a loom, later extended to systematic/organic)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal