格局 (géjú) — pattern, structure, situation

格局 (géjú)

格局 refers to the overall pattern, configuration, or distribution of elements in a situation — whether geopolitical, social, or spatial. When applied to people, it describes breadth of mind or magnanimity (大格局). It conveys a sense of the grand structure or configuration as seen from a high vantage point.

Meanings

1. [n] pattern, configuration, layout (the overall structure of a situation)
2. [n] breadth of vision, magnanimity (a person's scope of mind)

Example Sentences

冷战结束后，世界政治格局经历了深刻的重组与调整。 Lěngzhàn jiéshù hòu, shìjiè zhèngzhì géjú jīnglì le shēnkè de chóngzǔ yǔ tiáozhěng. After the Cold War ended, the global political configuration underwent profound reorganization and adjustment.

一个人的格局决定了他在面对挫折时能走多远、看多高。 Yī gè rén de géjú juédìng le tā zài miàn duì cuòzhé shí néng zǒu duō yuǎn, kàn duō gāo. A person's breadth of vision determines how far they can go and how high they can see when facing setbacks.

互联网的兴起从根本上改变了传统媒体行业的竞争格局。 Hùliánwǎng de xīngqǐ cóng gēnběn shàng gǎibiàn le chuántǒng méitǐ hángyè de jìngzhēng géjú. The rise of the internet fundamentally changed the competitive landscape of the traditional media industry.

这位企业家的格局之大在于他从不将眼光局限于眼前的利润。 Zhè wèi qǐyèjiā de géjú zhī dà zàiyú tā cóng bù jiāng yǎnguāng júxiàn yú yǎnqián de lìrùn. The greatness of this entrepreneur's vision lies in his never limiting his gaze to immediate profits.

新兴经济体的崛起正在重塑国际贸易的整体格局。 Xīnxīng jīngjì tǐ de juéqǐ zhèngzài chóngsù guójì màoyì de zhěngtǐ géjú. The rise of emerging economies is reshaping the overall landscape of international trade.

城市空间格局的规划不仅是技术问题，更折射出深层的社会公平理念。 Chéngshì kōngjiān géjú de guīhuà bùjǐn shì jìshù wèntí, gèng zhéshè chū shēncéng de shèhuì gōngpíng lǐniàn. The planning of a city's spatial layout is not just a technical issue; it also reflects deep concepts of social equity.

Collocations

Usage Notes

格局 is used in two main registers: the macro-level (geopolitical or economic configuration, as in 国际格局, 竞争格局) and the personal level (breadth of mind, as in 此人格局很大). In personal usage, having a 大格局 means being magnanimous, thinking long-term, and not being petty. This personal usage has become very popular in self-help and motivational contexts in contemporary Chinese.

Compare with 格式 (format/layout, referring to arrangement) and 局面 (situation, more temporary and changeable): 格局 implies a more stable, structural configuration than 局面.

Memory Hook

格 (pattern/frame) + 局 (arrangement/game) — 格局 is how the pieces are arranged on the board, the overall pattern of the game being played.