Guanxi
/ɡwænˈʃiː/noun
A network of personal relationships and reciprocal obligations, especially in Chinese society and business.
Did you know?The Chinese characters combine 關, historically associated with a gate or barrier, and 係, meaning to tie or fasten—making guanxi literally evoke ties that connect or bind people.
Etymological Timeline
Old Chinese
Old Chinese
關
“A gate, barrier, or something that closes off an opening; the ancestor of modern 關/关.”
Old Chinese
Old Chinese
係
“To tie, fasten, attach, or connect; the ancestor of modern 係/系.”
Classical Chinese
Classical Chinese
關係
“To concern, involve, connect, or stand in a relationship to something or someone.”
Middle Chinese
Middle Chinese
kwan-sjeH
“The pronunciation reconstructed for the two-character expression later read as guānxì in Mandarin.”
Modern Mandarin
Mandarin
關係／关系 guānxì
“A relationship, connection, or socially meaningful tie, often carrying expectations of reciprocity.”
20th Century
English
guanxi
“An English loanword used especially in discussions of Chinese society, politics, business, and networks of personal obligation.”
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