环境
environment; surroundings
huánjìng
What does 环境 mean?
环境 (huánjìng) is a noun covering both senses of English 'environment': the natural world (the planet, ecosystems — 保护环境 'protect the environment') AND the immediate surroundings or conditions a person lives or works in (家庭环境 'family environment,' 工作环境 'work environment'). Literally 'surround-territory,' the word captures everything around you. English speakers should note: 环境 is broader than the green 'environment' political sense. In everyday Chinese, asking 这里环境怎么样 ('how's the environment here?'
) often means 'what's the atmosphere/setting like?' — about a restaurant's ambience, a neighborhood's vibe, or an office's culture, not about pollution. For specifically the natural/ecological sense, 自然环境 (natural environment) clarifies.
Character breakdown
ring; to surround
territory; situation; boundary
Memory hook: 环 (surround) + 境 (territory) — the territory that surrounds you.
Measure word for 环境
Example sentences
这家咖啡店的环境很好。
Zhè jiā kāfēidiàn de huánjìng hěn hǎo.
This coffee shop has a nice environment.
spoken
我们要保护环境。
Wǒmen yào bǎohù huánjìng.
We need to protect the environment.
neutral
他很快就适应了新环境。
Tā hěn kuài jiù shìyìngle xīn huánjìng.
He quickly adapted to the new environment.
neutral
孩子需要一个好的学习环境。
Háizi xūyào yí ge hǎo de xuéxí huánjìng.
Children need a good learning environment.
neutral
Common phrases with 环境
Synonyms
周围 means 'surroundings / around' as a place word, often used spatially (我家周围很安静 'around my house it's quiet'). 环境 is more abstract — the conditions or atmosphere. 周围 is what's physically near; 环境 includes the feel and conditions.
气氛 means 'atmosphere / mood' — specifically the emotional vibe of a place or event (节日气氛 'holiday atmosphere'). 环境 is broader: physical conditions plus mood. A restaurant has 环境 (decor, layout, ambience) and 气氛 (the festive feeling tonight).
Don't confuse 环境 with
Same 环, but 环节 means 'link / step / segment' in a process or chain (重要环节 'an important step'). 环境 is surroundings. Different concept entirely.
境况 means 'circumstances / situation' (often someone's personal situation, especially financial). 环境 is the broader surroundings. 他的境况不太好 (his situation isn't great) vs 这里环境不错 (the environment here is nice).
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