ZHIZHI 知止 · LEARN CHINESE DAILY
界
boundary; world; realm
jiè
9 strokes · 田 (field) + 介 (between) — the line drawn between fields · HSK 3
Where 界 comes from
介 'between' under 田 'field': the ridge dividing two farmers' plots. Boundaries define territories, territories define realms — and all realms together are the world 世界.
界 in Chinese culture
世界 world is the megaword here. 边界 border, 眼界 horizons ('eye-boundary'), 自然界 the natural world. Every专业 has its 界: 体育界 the sports world, 科技界 tech circles.
Example
世界 shìjiè — world
我想环游世界。
Wǒ xiǎng huányóu shìjiè.
I want to travel around the world.
How to remember it
The LINE between FIELDS — every BOUNDARY adds up to a WORLD.
大开眼界 'eyes' boundary flung open' — the Chinese idiom for a mind-blowing experience is about boundaries moving.
Same sound, different tones
Words unlocked by 界
世界 shìjiè
world
眼界 yǎnjiè
horizons
Related characters
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