种族

• Pinyin: zhǒng zú
• Hanzi breakdown: 种 = 禾 + 中 (grain + middle — kind/type); 族 = 方 + 矢 (direction + arrow — clan)

Meaning

Race; ethnic group. A category of humans sharing physical or genetic characteristics.

Used in discussions of 种族歧视 (racial discrimination), 种族平等 (racial equality), 种族主义 (racism). Academic and political term. China officially recognises 56 民族 (ethnic groups/nationalities), a related but distinct concept.

Examples

1. 种族歧视是对人类尊严的严重侵犯，必须予以谴责。 Racial discrimination is a serious violation of human dignity and must be condemned.
2. 这项研究表明种族之间的基因差异远小于个体差异。 This study shows that genetic differences between racial groups are far smaller than differences between individuals.
3. 南非曾经实行严格的种族隔离制度，直到上世纪九十年代才废除。 South Africa once enforced strict apartheid until it was abolished in the 1990s.

Usage Guide

Context: sociology, politics, human rights

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 种族平等是现代文明社会的基本准则。(Racial equality is a fundamental principle of modern civilised society.)
• 不同种族的人应当享有同等的权利和机会。(People of different races should enjoy equal rights and opportunities.)

Don't Say

• 他是什么种族？ — in casual conversation, 他是哪里人？ or 他是什么族？ is more natural; 种族 sounds clinical

Origin & History

种 (kind/seed) + 族 (clan/group)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal