外交 (wàijiāo) — diplomacy; diplomatic

外交 (wàijiāo)

外交 refers to diplomacy -- the management of relations between countries through negotiation and communication -- and is a core term in international relations and political science.

Meanings

1. [noun] diplomacy; foreign affairs; diplomatic relations
2. [adjective] diplomatic; pertaining to foreign affairs

Example Sentences

两国之间的外交关系已经正常化。 Liǎng guó zhījiān de wàijiāo guānxi yǐjīng zhèngchánghuà. Diplomatic relations between the two countries have been normalized.

外交部发言人就此事发表了声明。 Wàijiāo bù fāyánrén jiù cǐ shì fābiǎo le shēngmíng. The Foreign Ministry spokesperson issued a statement on this matter.

这位总统擅长以外交手段解决争端。 Zhè wèi zǒngtǒng shāncháng yǐ wàijiāo shǒuduàn jiějué zhēngduān. This president is skilled at resolving disputes through diplomatic means.

该国宣布与邻国断绝外交关系。 Gāi guó xuānbù yǔ lín guó duànjué wàijiāo guānxi. The country announced the severance of diplomatic relations with its neighbor.

经济外交越来越成为大国竞争的重要工具。 Jīngjì wàijiāo yuè lái yuè chéngwéi dàguó jìngzhēng de zhòngyào gōngjù. Economic diplomacy is increasingly becoming an important tool in great power competition.

这位大使在任期间为促进双边外交做出了重要贡献。 Zhè wèi dàshǐ zài rènqī jiān wèi cùjìn shuāngbiān wàijiāo zuòchū le zhòngyào gòngxiàn. This ambassador made important contributions to promoting bilateral diplomacy during his tenure.

Collocations

Usage Notes

外交 is a formal political term used in government, journalism, and academic discussion of international relations. 外 means "foreign/outside" and 交 means "to exchange/interact," so 外交 literally means "foreign exchange" in the sense of international interaction.

外交部 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) is the standard name for the foreign ministry in Chinese-speaking countries. The adjective 外交 can modify many nouns: 外交官 (diplomat), 外交途径 (diplomatic channel), 外交豁免权 (diplomatic immunity).

Memory Hook

外 means "outside/foreign" and 交 means "to exchange/interact." 外交 is exchanging and interacting with foreign countries -- literally what diplomacy does.