外交

がいこう

diplomacy

JLPT N3

Character Breakdown

Understanding 外交 (wàijiāo)

外交 refers to diplomacy or foreign affairs, especially the official relations and communications between countries. It is commonly used in contexts involving government, international relations, and global strategy.

Usage and Context

When you see 外交, it often relates to formal state activities, such as diplomatic negotiations, treaties, or international cooperation. It can also refer to the government department responsible for these activities, like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交).

Common Collocations

  • 外交关系 (wàijiāo guānxì): diplomatic relations — used to describe the relationship between countries.
  • 外交 (wàijiāobù): Ministry of Foreign Affairs — the government department handling diplomacy.
  • 经济外交 (jīngjì wàijiāo): economic diplomacy — diplomacy focused on economic interests.

Nuances

Using 外交 implies formal and official interactions between nations, distinct from informal or cultural exchanges. It is a neutral term but often appears in serious political or news contexts.

Avoiding Confusion

Do not confuse 外交 with 外交 (wàijiāoguān), which means diplomat, a person rather than the concept or activity of diplomacy itself.

Example Sentences

The diplomatic relations between China and the United States are very

He works at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responsible for international

This meeting mainly discussed strategies for economic diplomacy.