关系 (guānxi)

Refers to the connection or relationship between people or things. Appears in the key phrases 有关系 (to be related/to matter) and 没关系 (it doesn't matter / no problem).

Meanings

[noun] Relationship, connection, link.
[noun/verb phrase] 没关系 — doesn't matter, no problem; 有关系 — related, relevant.

Example Sentences

他们两个人的关系很好。 Tāmen liǎng gè rén de guānxi hěn hǎo. The relationship between the two of them is very good.

这件事跟我没有关系。 Zhè jiàn shì gēn wǒ méiyǒu guānxi. This matter has nothing to do with me.

没关系，我不介意。 Méi guānxi, wǒ bù jièyì. It doesn't matter; I don't mind.

学习成绩和努力有直接关系。 Xuéxí chéngjì hé nǔlì yǒu zhíjiē guānxi. Academic performance has a direct relationship with effort.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
没关系	no problem, doesn't matter
有关系	is related, matters
人际关系	interpersonal relationships
关系好	have a good relationship
没什么关系	it's nothing, no worries

Memory Hook

关 means "to connect/close" and 系 means "to tie/system" — when things are tied and connected, they have a relationship.