秩序

• Pinyin: zhì xù
• Hanzi breakdown: 秩 = 禾 + 失 (grain in proper order); 序 = 广 + 予 (shelter + arrangement)

Meaning

Order; sequence; proper arrangement. The state of being organised according to rules or principles.

Used for social order (社会秩序), public order (公共秩序), and abstract structures (世界秩序 — world order). 维护秩序 (maintain order), 恢复秩序 (restore order). Central concept in governance and sociology.

Examples

1. 警察在大型活动中负责维护现场秩序。 Police are responsible for maintaining order at large events.
2. 地震过后，当地政府迅速采取措施恢复社会秩序。 After the earthquake, the local government quickly took measures to restore social order.
3. 国际社会需要建立更加公正合理的世界秩序。 The international community needs to build a fairer, more reasonable world order.

Usage Guide

Context: governance, public events, sociology

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 请大家排好队，保持良好的秩序。(Please line up and maintain good order.)
• 法治是维护社会秩序的重要基石。(Rule of law is an important cornerstone for maintaining social order.)

Don't Say

• 把书放成秩序 — unnatural phrasing; use 按顺序排列 or 整理好 for arranging objects

Origin & History

秩 (sequence/rank) + 序 (order/preface)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal