际

際

jì

示 + 阝

Frequency#423

Definitions

jì (noun) boundary; border; edge

jì (preposition) between; among

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 阝 represents the meaning and 示 represents the sound. Simplified form of 際.

Semantic: 阝 Phonetic: 示

About

The traditional character "際" is structured with the left radical "阝", which commonly associates with terrain or elevation, and the right component "祭", meaning sacrifice, together originally denoting a border or boundary where such rituals might be conducted. Its meaning extended from physical edges to conceptual junctures and intervals, subsequently acquiring senses like "intercourse" or "occasion" in modern usage. The simplified form "际" replaces the component "祭" with "示", a simpler element related to altars or showing, while maintaining the character's fundamental association with boundaries and connections.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

国际旅行很有趣。

Guójì lǚxíng hěn yǒuqù.

International travel is very interesting.

他的想法很不实际。

Tā de xiǎngfǎ hěn bù shíjì.

His ideas are very impractical.

我们在山顶眺望天际。

Wǒmen zài shāndǐng tiàowàng tiānjì.

We gazed at the horizon from the mountain top.

人际关系需要用心维护。

Rénjì guānxī xūyào yòngxīn wéihù.

Interpersonal relationships require careful maintenance.

两国之间的国际关系改善了。

Liǎng guó zhī jiān de guójì guānxī gǎishàn le.

The international relations between the two countries have improved.

这本书探讨了星际旅行的可能性。

Zhè běn shū tàntǎo le xīngjì lǚxíng de kěnéngxìng.

This book explores the possibility of interstellar travel.

在边际效益递减之前，我们应该停止投入。

Zài biānjì xiàoyì dìjiǎn zhī qián, wǒmen yīnggāi tíngzhǐ tóurù.

We should stop investing before the marginal benefits diminish.

他正处于职业生涯的转折际遇。

Tā zhèng chǔyú zhíyè shēngyá de zhuǎnzhé jìyù.

He is at a turning point juncture in his professional career.

Related Characters

Component: 示

Component: 阝

际