歧视

The term 歧视 (qíshì) is a powerful and socially significant word in modern Chinese, functioning as both a noun and a transitive verb. At its core, it refers to the act of treating a person or a group of people less favorably than others based on certain characteristics rather than individual merit. These characteristics often include race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or social status. Understanding this word is crucial for anyone looking to engage in discussions about social justice, human rights, or workplace ethics in a Chinese-speaking context.

Etymological Breakdown

The first character, 歧 (qí), originally refers to a fork in the road or something that is divergent or aberrant. It implies a deviation from the 'straight' or 'correct' path. The second character, 视 (shì), means to look at, regard, or observe. Together, 歧视 literally suggests 'looking at someone in a divergent or deviant way,' which has evolved into the modern sense of looking down upon or treating unfairly.

In contemporary society, 歧视 is used in both formal legal documents and everyday conversations. For instance, in a legal context, one might discuss '就业歧视' (employment discrimination), while in a casual conversation, someone might complain about '地域歧视' (regional discrimination), which is a common topic in China regarding how people from different provinces perceive one another.

The word carries a strong negative connotation. To accuse someone of 歧视 is a serious matter. It is not just about a simple dislike; it implies a systemic or prejudiced bias that results in unfair treatment. In the context of global movements like Black Lives Matter or the fight for gender equality, 歧视 is the standard term used in Chinese media to translate 'discrimination'.

Social Context

In China, discussions around 歧视 often focus on specific areas such as '学历歧视' (discrimination based on educational background) where companies might only hire graduates from top-tier universities, or '年龄歧视' (ageism), particularly the '35-year-old threshold' in the tech industry. These nuances make the word highly relevant for anyone living or working in China.

Furthermore, 歧视 is distinct from 偏见 (piānjiàn - prejudice). While 偏见 refers to the internal thought or preconceived opinion, 歧视 refers to the external action or treatment resulting from that opinion. You might have a 偏见 against someone, but you 歧视 them when you actually treat them differently. This distinction is vital for accurate communication in high-level Chinese proficiency exams like the HSK 5 or 6.

Register and Tone

歧视 is a formal word. While you might use it in a heated argument, it is most at home in news reports, academic essays, and official statements. In very casual slang, people might use other terms to describe being left out or looked down upon, but 歧视 remains the standard term for serious unfair treatment.

Using 歧视 (qíshì) correctly requires understanding its dual nature as both a noun and a verb. Because it deals with relationships between people and groups, the sentence structures often involve prepositions like '对' (duì - toward/against) or '受到' (shòudào - to receive/suffer from). Mastery of these patterns will allow you to express complex social ideas clearly and accurately.

Pattern 1: As a Transitive Verb

Structure: [Subject] + 歧视 + [Object]. This is the most direct way to say someone discriminates against someone else. Example: '他不应该歧视外来务工人员' (He should not discriminate against migrant workers). Here, 歧视 acts directly on the object.

When using it as a verb, you can also add adverbs to show the degree or frequency. Words like '严重' (yánzhòng - seriously), '公开' (gōngkāi - openly), or '无意识地' (wúyìshí de - unconsciously) are frequently paired with 歧视 to provide more context to the action.

Pattern 2: As a Noun (Direct Object)

Structure: [Verb] + [Type of] + 歧视. Common verbs include '消除' (xiāochú - eliminate), '反对' (fǎnduì - oppose), or '禁止' (jìnzhǐ - forbid). Example: '政府致力于消除种族歧视' (The government is committed to eliminating racial discrimination).

In this noun form, 歧视 is often preceded by a specific category to define the type of bias. This creates compound nouns that are essential for formal writing. Examples include '年龄歧视' (ageism), '性别歧视' (sexism), and '种族歧视' (racism). This structure is very common in news headlines and policy documents.

Pattern 3: Passive Usage with 受到

Structure: [Person] + 受到 + 歧视. This is used to describe the victim's perspective. Example: '他在学校受到了歧视' (He suffered discrimination at school). This is often more common than the '被' (bèi) passive structure in this context.

Using '受到' (received) or '遭受' (suffered) makes the sentence sound more natural and formal. If the discrimination was based on a specific reason, you can add '因为' (yīnwèi - because of). For example: '她因为身体残疾而受到了歧视' (She was discriminated against because of her physical disability).

The word 歧视 (qíshì) is ubiquitous in Chinese-speaking environments where social issues are discussed. From the evening news to human resources training, understanding the context in which this word appears will help you grasp the societal values and tensions in modern China and other Sinophone regions.

In the Workplace

This is perhaps the most common setting. You will hear it in discussions about '招聘歧视' (recruitment discrimination). For example, if a job posting specifies 'men only' or 'under 35', social media and news outlets will quickly label it as 歧视. Human Resources departments also use this word in '反歧视培训' (anti-discrimination training).

In these professional settings, the word is often linked to '公平' (gōngpíng - fairness) and '机会' (jīhuì - opportunity). If you are looking for a job in China, you might see articles discussing how to protect your rights if you face 歧视 during an interview.

In News and Media

Whenever international news covers racial tensions in the US or Europe, the term '种族歧视' (racial discrimination) is used repeatedly. Similarly, when discussing global sports events, commentators might mention '反歧视' (anti-discrimination) campaigns. In domestic Chinese news, '地域歧视' (regional discrimination) is a frequent topic, especially regarding the treatment of people from certain provinces in larger cities like Beijing or Shanghai.

Media reports often use data to support claims of 歧视. You might hear phrases like '数据显示，职场歧视依然存在' (Data shows that workplace discrimination still exists). This formal register is common in CCTV news broadcasts and newspapers like the People's Daily.

In Academic and Legal Contexts

Students of law, sociology, or political science will encounter 歧视 in textbooks and lectures. It is discussed in the context of '宪法' (the Constitution) and '劳动法' (Labor Law). Academics might study '系统性歧视' (systemic discrimination) or '隐性歧视' (implicit discrimination).

In these contexts, the word is analyzed with precision. For instance, a law professor might explain the difference between '直接歧视' (direct discrimination) and '间接歧视' (indirect discrimination). This level of detail is common in university seminars across China.

While 歧视 (qíshì) might seem straightforward, English speakers often make subtle errors in its usage, particularly concerning grammar and nuance. Avoiding these common pitfalls will make your Chinese sound more natural and precise.

Mistake 1: Confusing 歧视 with 偏见 (Prejudice)

A common mistake is using 歧视 to describe a thought or a feeling. 歧视 is an action or a treatment. If you want to say 'He has a prejudice against foreigners,' you should use '偏见' (piānjiàn). If you say '他歧视外国人,' it means he actually treats them badly or unfairly. Remember: 偏见 is in the mind; 歧视 is in the behavior.

For example, a person might have a 偏见 that young people are lazy, but it only becomes 歧视 when they refuse to hire a young person based solely on that belief. In writing, ensure you are choosing the word that fits the context of action versus thought.

Mistake 2: Incorrect Passive Structure

English speakers often try to use '被' (bèi) to say 'was discriminated against' (e.g., '他被歧视了'). While not grammatically 'wrong,' it is much more natural and common in Chinese to use '受到' (shòudào) or '遭受' (zāoshòu). '他受到了歧视' sounds much more native than '他被歧视了'.

Using '受到' allows for a smoother flow, especially in formal writing. '遭受' is even more formal and is often used for severe or long-term suffering. Reserve '被' for specific instances where the agent of the discrimination is the focus of the sentence.

Mistake 3: Overusing the Word for Minor Unfairness

歧视 is a very heavy word. If a teacher gives a student a slightly lower grade than they expected, calling it 歧视 might be seen as an exaggeration unless there is a clear bias involved. For general unfairness, use '不公平' (bù gōngpíng) or '偏心' (piānxīn - favoritism). Save 歧视 for systemic or prejudice-based unfair treatment.

Using the word correctly helps maintain its impact. In a professional or academic setting, mislabeling a simple mistake as 歧视 can lead to unnecessary conflict. Always evaluate if the unfairness is based on a protected characteristic before using this term.

To truly master Chinese, you need to understand the synonyms and related terms for 歧视 (qíshì). Depending on the context—whether you are talking about feelings, social exclusion, or simple unfairness—different words might be more appropriate.

歧视 (qíshì) vs. 偏见 (piānjiàn)

As mentioned before, 偏见 refers to a biased opinion or prejudice (internal). 歧视 refers to the unfair treatment (external). You can have a 偏见 without acting on it, but 歧视 is the act of acting on that 偏见. Example: '消除偏见是减少歧视的前提' (Eliminating prejudice is the prerequisite for reducing discrimination).

Understanding this distinction is key for HSK exams, where you might be asked to choose between the two in a cloze test. If the sentence describes a mindset, choose 偏见. If it describes an action or a social phenomenon, choose 歧视.

歧视 (qíshì) vs. 排斥 (páichì)

排斥 means to exclude, reject, or push away. While 歧视 is about unfair treatment, 排斥 is specifically about not allowing someone to join a group or be part of a community. You might be 歧视 (discriminated against) within a group, but if you are 排斥 (excluded), you aren't even allowed in. Example: '他因为性格孤僻而受到同学们的排斥' (He was excluded by his classmates because of his eccentric personality).

排斥 can also be used in technical contexts, like an organ transplant rejection (器官排斥). 歧视 is strictly used for human and social interactions. In a social context, 排斥 is often a symptom or a result of 歧视.

歧视 (qíshì) vs. 侮辱 (wǔrǔ)

侮辱 means to insult or humiliate. While 歧视 can be quiet and systemic (like not getting a promotion), 侮辱 is usually an active, verbal, or physical attack on someone's dignity. 歧视 is about inequality; 侮辱 is about disrespect. Example: '种族歧视往往伴随着言语上的侮辱' (Racial discrimination is often accompanied by verbal insults).

In a legal sense, 侮辱 is a specific crime related to defamation and personal dignity, whereas 歧视 is often handled under labor or civil rights laws. Using both together describes a very hostile environment.