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B1 noun 9 min read

业界

yè jiè

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 业界 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 业界 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '业界' (yèjiè) yet, as it is quite formal. Instead, you usually learn words for 'work' (工作 - gōngzuò) or 'place' (地方 - dìfāng). However, it is helpful to recognize that '业' (yè) relates to business and '界' (jiè) relates to a group or world. Think of it like a 'work world.' At this stage, just focus on the idea that people have different jobs in different 'worlds.'

At the A2 level, you begin to talk about different types of jobs and businesses. You might know '行业' (hángyè) for industry. '业界' is like a more professional version of 'industry.' You might hear it in news clips about famous people like Elon Musk or Jack Ma. If you see '业界' in a sentence, look for words like '有名' (famous) or '大' (big) nearby. It helps you understand that the sentence is talking about a professional environment.

At the B1 level, you should start using '业界' (yèjiè) in your own speaking and writing, especially when discussing your career or interests. It is a 'level-up' word from '行业.' Use it to describe the professional community. For example, instead of saying 'In my work,' you can say 'In the industry' (在业界). This makes you sound more professional and prepared for business interactions in Chinese. You will often see it paired with '专家' (expert) or '新闻' (news).

At the B2 level, you should understand the nuance between '业界' (professional circles) and '行业' (economic sector). You can use '业界' to discuss trends, reputations, and standards. You should be comfortable using phrases like '业界领先' (industry-leading) and '业界公认' (widely recognized by the industry). At this level, you can also recognize when '业界' is being used metaphorically in social media, such as '业界良心' (a company with a conscience).

At the C1 level, you should use '业界' (yèjiè) with precision in formal reports, debates, and high-level business negotiations. You should be able to distinguish it from '学界' (academia), '政界' (politics), and '商界' (business world). You should also be familiar with how '业界' interacts with complex verbs like '诟病' (criticize) or '推崇' (hold in high esteem). Your usage should reflect an understanding of the collective social weight the term carries in professional Chinese discourse.

At the C2 level, '业界' (yèjiè) is a fundamental part of your vocabulary. You understand its historical development and its role in framing professional narratives. You can use it to analyze the 'discourse power' (话语权) of certain industry circles. You are also sensitive to how the term is used in different Chinese-speaking regions (Mainland China vs. Taiwan vs. Hong Kong) and can adapt your register accordingly. You can use it to discuss the intersection of professional ethics and market dynamics with native-level fluency.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

业界 in 30 Seconds

业界 (yèjiè) means 'industry' or 'professional circles,' focusing on the community of people and companies within a field.
It is a formal B1-level word commonly found in business news, professional reports, and academic discussions.
Common pairings include 业界精英 (industry elite), 业界领先 (industry leading), and 业界动态 (industry trends).
It differs from 行业 (hángyè) by emphasizing the 'circle' of people rather than just the 'sector' of the economy.

The Chinese word 业界 (yèjiè) is a sophisticated noun that primarily translates to 'industry,' 'business circles,' or 'the field.' It is composed of two characters: 业 (yè), which refers to a trade, profession, or business, and 界 (jiè), which means boundary, circle, or world. When combined, they describe the collective professional environment and the people who inhabit it. Unlike the more general term 行业 (hángyè), which refers to the structural sector itself (like the 'automotive industry'), 业界 often carries a connotation of the professional community, its standards, and its internal reputation. You will frequently encounter this word in business news, professional seminars, and formal reports where the collective opinion or status of a professional field is being discussed.

Professional Scope: It refers to the entire ecosystem of a specific profession, including the companies, the experts, and the prevailing standards that govern them.
Collective Authority: When a report says 'industry experts say,' it often uses 业界专家 to imply a consensus among the most respected figures in that world.
Reputational Context: Used when discussing how a company is perceived by its peers, such as being 'renowned within the industry' (业界闻名).

他在业界享有很高的声誉，每个人都尊重他的意见。(Tā zài yèjiè xiǎngyǒu hěn gāo de shēngyù, měi gèrén dōu zūnzhòng tā de yìjiàn.)
— Translation: He enjoys a high reputation in the industry; everyone respects his opinion.

In modern Chinese, 业界 is often paired with words like 'standard' (标准), 'elite' (精英), and 'conscience' (良心). For example, a product that offers incredible value might be called 'the conscience of the industry' (业界良心), a phrase that started as professional praise but has since become a popular internet meme for anything high-quality and affordable. This versatility makes it a must-know word for anyone moving beyond basic conversational Chinese into the realms of business and media consumption.

这款软件被公认为是业界的标准。(Zhè kuǎn ruǎnjiàn bèi gōngrèn wéi yèjiè de biāozhǔn.)
— Translation: This software is widely recognized as the industry standard.

Furthermore, 业界 is frequently used to describe trends and news. When you hear 'Industry News' (业界新闻), it implies news that is relevant to the professionals within that field rather than just the general public. It suggests a level of insider knowledge and technical depth. If you are working in China or with Chinese partners, using 业界 appropriately will signal that you understand the professional landscape and the nuances of business communication.

Using 业界 (yèjiè) correctly requires understanding its role as a noun that often functions as a modifier or a location of activity. It is rarely used as a verb. Most commonly, it appears as the subject of a sentence, the object of a preposition like 在 (zài - in), or as a possessive modifier for other nouns. Because it refers to a collective group, it can take verbs that describe opinions, standards, or reputations.

As a Location (In the Industry): Structure: 在 + 业界 + [Verb Phrase]. This is the most common use case. Example: 在业界非常有名 (Very famous in the industry).
As an Attributive (Industry ...): Structure: 业界 + [Noun]. Here, it describes the type of noun. Example: 业界动态 (Industry trends/developments).
With Specific Fields: You can specify the industry by placing a noun before it. Example: IT业界 (The IT industry/circles).

他的新书引起了业界的广泛关注。(Tā de xīnshū yǐnqǐle yèjiè de guǎngfàn guānzhù.)
— Translation: His new book has attracted widespread attention within the industry.

When you want to describe a consensus or a widespread belief among professionals, 业界 is often the subject of verbs like 普遍认为 (pǔbiàn rènwéi - generally believe) or 公认 (gōngrèn - widely recognize). This helps to distance the statement from personal opinion and frame it as a professional fact. For example, 业界普遍认为今年市场会增长 (The industry generally believes the market will grow this year).

作为业界领袖，我们必须承担更多的社会责任。(Zuòwéi yèjiè lǐngxiù, wǒmen bìxū chéngdān gèng duō de shèhuì zérèn.)
— Translation: As industry leaders, we must take on more social responsibility.

In summary, use 业界 when the focus is on the 'people' and 'community' side of a business sector. It adds a layer of professionalism and specificity to your speech that simpler words like 公司 (gōngsī - company) or 工作 (gōngzuò - work) lack. It is a key term for networking, interviews, and formal presentations.

You are most likely to hear 业界 (yèjiè) in environments where professional expertise is being shared or evaluated. It is a staple of the Chinese business media landscape. If you watch business news on CCTV-2 or read publications like Caixin or The Economic Observer, you will see this word in almost every article. It serves as a shorthand for 'the experts' or 'the professional community.'

Conferences and Seminars: Speakers will often start with phrases like “在座的各位都是业界精英” (Everyone here is an industry elite) to flatter the audience and acknowledge their professional status.
Product Launches: Tech companies like Huawei or Xiaomi often use 业界领先 (yèjiè lǐngxiān - industry leading) to describe their latest hardware or software features during keynotes.
Job Interviews: Interviewers might ask about your reputation or your knowledge of 业界动态 (industry trends) to gauge how well-connected you are to your field.

根据业界最新的报告，人工智能将改变整个就业市场。(Gēnjù yèjiè zuìxīn de bàogào, réngōng zhìnéng jiāng gǎibiàn zhěnggè jiùyè shìchǎng.)
— Translation: According to the latest industry reports, AI will change the entire job market.

Beyond the boardroom, 业界 has found a home in online reviews and social media. When gamers discuss a new title, they might talk about its 业界地位 (yèjiè dìwèi - industry status). If a food reviewer visits a restaurant that is famous among chefs, they might call it an 业界标杆 (yèjiè biāogān - industry benchmark). This usage bridges the gap between strictly professional language and high-level enthusiast culture.

这家公司被誉为业界的“黄埔军校”。(Zhè jiā gōngsī bèi yù wéi yèjiè de “Huángpǔ Jūnxiào”.)
— Translation: This company is praised as the 'Whampoa Military Academy' of the industry (meaning it trains the best talent).

In the academic world, 业界 is often contrasted with 学界 (xuéjiè - academic circles). When a researcher mentions “业界与学界的合作” (collaboration between industry and academia), they are talking about the bridge between theoretical research and practical business application. Understanding this distinction is vital for students and professionals alike.

While 业界 (yèjiè) is a powerful word, English speakers often misuse it by confusing it with other words for 'industry' or by using it in overly casual contexts where it feels out of place. The most common error is failing to distinguish between the 'sector' (industry as a category) and the 'circles' (industry as a professional community).

Mistaking 业界 for 行业 (Hángyè): While often interchangeable, 行业 is more neutral and broad. You 'change industries' (换行业), you don't 'change 业界'. 业界 is for the community within that industry.
Mistaking 业界 for 工业 (Gōngyè): 工业 refers specifically to manufacturing and heavy industry. If you say 业界革命 when you mean 'Industrial Revolution,' you are incorrect; that should be 工业革命.
Overusing it in Casual Conversation: Using 业界 when talking about a local small business or a simple hobby can sound pretentious. Stick to 行内 (hángnèi - in the trade) for more casual professional talk.

❌ Incorrect: 我想换一个业界工作。
✅ Correct: 我想换一个行业工作。
— Note: Use '行业' for the general sector you work in.

Another mistake is the placement of specific industry names. In English, we say 'the tech industry.' In Chinese, you should place the specific field before 业界, like 科技业界. However, it is even more common to just say 科技界 (dropping the 'yè'). Using the full 业界 after a specific field is possible but can sometimes sound slightly redundant depending on the context.

❌ Awkward: 这是一个业界的秘密。
✅ Better: 这是一个行业秘密 (Trade secret) or 业内秘密。

Lastly, remember that 业界 is a collective noun. You generally don't say 'one industry' (一个业界) to mean a single company. If you want to talk about a specific professional circle, you might say 某个业界, but even then, 行业 or 领域 (lǐngyù - field) is often more natural for counting or specifying.

To truly master 业界 (yèjiè), you must know its 'neighbors'—other words that mean industry, field, or circle. Each has a specific nuance that changes the tone of your sentence. Choosing the right one shows a high level of linguistic precision.

行业 (Hángyè) vs. 业界 (Yèjiè): 行业 is the 'sector' or 'trade.' Use it for classification (e.g., service industry). 业界 is the 'community' within that sector. Example: 'He works in the finance 行业,' but 'His reputation in the finance 业界 is great.'
领域 (Lǐngyù) vs. 业界 (Yèjiè): 领域 means 'field' or 'domain.' It is more abstract and can apply to academic subjects or areas of research. 业界 is strictly professional/business-oriented. Example: 'The field (领域) of physics' vs 'The tech industry (业界)'.
圈子 (Quānzi) vs. 业界 (Yèjiè): 圈子 is 'circle' or 'social/professional loop.' It is much more informal and often implies a sense of exclusivity or 'who you know.' 业界 is the formal, public-facing version of this.
业内 (Yènèi) vs. 业界 (Yèjiè): 业内 means 'within the industry' or 'insider.' It is often used as an adjective (e.g., 业内人士 - industry insider). 业界 is the noun for the industry itself.

虽然他们在同一个行业，但属于不同的专业领域。(Suīrán tāmen zài tóng yīgè hángyè, dàn shǔyú bùtóng de zhuānyè lǐngyù.)
— Translation: Although they are in the same industry, they belong to different professional fields.

In formal writing, you might also see 工商界 (gōngshāngjiè - industrial and commercial circles) or 金融界 (jīnróngjiè - financial circles). These are highly specific versions of 业界. By learning these variations, you can tailor your language to the specific group of people you are discussing, which is a hallmark of an advanced speaker.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '业' (yè) in its ancient form looked like a rack for musical instruments, symbolizing the organized nature of work and achievement.

Pronunciation Guide

UK yè jiè

US yè jiè

Equal stress on both syllables.

Rhymes With

世界 (shìjiè) 边界 (biānjiè) 学界 (xuéjiè) 政界 (zhèngjiè) 商界 (shāngjiè) 外界 (wàijiè) 视界 (shìjiè) 眼界 (yǎnjiè)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'jiè' as 'jié' (second tone).
Confusing 'yè' with 'yuè' (moon/month).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in newspapers but uses formal characters.

Writing 4/5

Characters '业' and '界' require some practice for balance.

Speaking 3/5

Easy to pronounce but requires correct tone usage.

Listening 2/5

Very distinct sound in business contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

工作公司地方人是

Learn Next

领域精英动态标杆趋势

Advanced

垄断格局翘楚诟病深耕

Grammar to Know

Nouns as modifiers

业界标准 (Industry standard)

Prepositional phrases with '在'

在业界工作 (Work in the industry)

Possessive '的'

业界的反响 (The industry's response)

Passive voice with '被'

被业界公认 (Widely recognized by the industry)

Compound nouns

IT业界 (IT industry)

Examples by Level

他在这个业界工作。

He works in this industry.

Simple subject + preposition + noun + verb.

业界很大。

The industry is big.

Noun + adjective (statival verb).

我不认识业界的人。

I don't know people in the industry.

Negative '不' with '认识'.

业界的书在这里。

The industry books are here.

Possessive '的' linking industry and books.

你想去哪个业界？

Which industry do you want to go to?

Question word '哪个'.

业界有很多人。

There are many people in the industry.

Existential '有' sentence.

他是业界的新人。

He is a newcomer to the industry.

Subject + 是 + noun phrase.

学习业界的话很有用。

Learning industry words is very useful.

Gerund-like subject phrase.

他在IT业界非常有名。

He is very famous in the IT industry.

Adverb '非常' modifying '有名'.

这个业界有很多机会。

There are many opportunities in this industry.

Quantifier '很多' with '机会'.

我喜欢听业界的讲座。

I like listening to industry lectures.

Verb '喜欢' + object phrase.

业界的标准是什么？

What is the industry standard?

Question with '什么'.

我们要了解业界动态。

We need to understand industry trends.

Modal verb '要' (need to).

他在业界工作了十年。

He has worked in the industry for ten years.

Duration of time after the verb.

业界专家都来了。

Industry experts have all come.

Adverb '都' indicating 'all'.

业界的竞争很激烈。

Competition in the industry is very fierce.

Subject (Competition) + Adverb (Very) + Adjective (Fierce).

这种做法在业界引起了争议。

This practice has caused controversy in the industry.

Prepositional phrase '在业界' acting as an adverbial.

他在业界建立了广泛的人脉。

He has built extensive connections in the industry.

Resultative complement '建立' + '广泛'.

我们应该关注业界的最新趋势。

We should pay attention to the latest trends in the industry.

Modal verb '应该' (should).

这款手机是业界的标杆。

This phone is the industry benchmark.

Nouns used as metaphors (标杆).

他在业界发表了很多文章。

He has published many articles in the industry.

Present perfect-like structure with '了'.

业界普遍认为经济会好转。

The industry generally believes the economy will improve.

Adverb '普遍' modifying '认为'.

他是业界公认的领袖。

He is a leader recognized by the industry.

Passive-like '公认' used as a modifier.

业界的反应比预期要好。

The industry's reaction was better than expected.

Comparison with '比' and '预期'.

该公司在业界一直保持领先地位。

The company has always maintained a leading position in the industry.

Adverb '一直' indicating continuity.

业界的合并潮正在加速。

The wave of industry mergers is accelerating.

Dynamic '正在' indicating an ongoing action.

这种新技术彻底改变了业界格局。

This new technology has completely changed the industry landscape.

Adverb '彻底' (completely) modifying '改变'.

他在业界深耕多年，经验丰富。

He has worked deeply in the industry for many years and is very experienced.

Idiomatic expression '深耕多年'.

业界对这一政策持有不同意见。

The industry holds different opinions on this policy.

Verb '持有' (to hold) used with abstract nouns.

我们要加强业界与学界的沟通。

We need to strengthen communication between industry and academia.

Structure 'A 与 B 的 [Noun]'.

他在业界的名声因为丑闻受损。

His reputation in the industry was damaged by the scandal.

Cause-effect structure with '因为'.

业界普遍呼吁进行监管改革。

The industry is generally calling for regulatory reform.

Verb '呼吁' (to call for/appeal).

该报告详尽分析了业界当前的痛点。

The report provides a detailed analysis of the industry's current pain points.

Adverbial '详尽' (detailed) modifying '分析'.

业界大咖们齐聚一堂，共话未来。

Industry big shots gathered together to discuss the future.

Idiomatic four-character expressions '齐聚一堂' and '共话未来'.

这种商业模式被业界诟病已久。

This business model has long been criticized by the industry.

Passive '被' construction with '诟病'.

他在业界的影响力是不容小觑的。

His influence in the industry cannot be underestimated.

Negative potential '不容' (cannot be allowed/should not).

业界精英们正在寻求突破性进展。

Industry elites are seeking breakthrough progress.

Compound adjective '突破性' (breakthrough-natured).

这一举动被视为业界的里程碑。

This move is regarded as an industry milestone.

Structure '被视为' (be regarded as).

业界对可持续发展的关注日益增加。

Industry's focus on sustainable development is increasing day by day.

Adverb '日益' (day by day).

他在业界摸爬滚打多年，终于成功。

He struggled and worked hard in the industry for years before finally succeeding.

Idiomatic '摸爬滚打' (lit. grope, crawl, roll, beat).

业界的垄断现象引起了监管部门的高度警惕。

The phenomenon of industry monopoly has raised high vigilance from regulatory departments.

Formal subject '垄断现象' and complex object.

他凭借敏锐的洞察力，预见了业界的巨变。

With his sharp insight, he foresaw the massive changes in the industry.

Preposition '凭借' (relying on/with).

业界舆论对该公司的收购案反应冷淡。

Industry public opinion reacted coldly to the company's acquisition case.

Abstract subject '业界舆论' (industry public opinion).

这种跨界合作正成为业界的新常态。

This cross-industry cooperation is becoming the new normal in the industry.

Modern buzzword '新常态' (new normal).

业界资深人士指出，缺乏创新是核心问题。

Industry veterans pointed out that a lack of innovation is the core problem.

Formal noun '资深人士' (veterans/seniors).

他在业界独树一帜，开创了全新的流派。

He stood out in the industry and created a completely new genre/style.

Idiom '独树一帜' (to fly one's own colors).

业界的寒冬迫使许多小企业纷纷倒闭。

The industry's 'winter' forced many small businesses to close down one after another.

Metaphorical '寒冬' (winter/slump) and adverb '纷纷'.

该举措旨在重塑业界生态系统。

The move aims to reshape the industry ecosystem.

Formal verb '旨在' (aims to) and '重塑' (reshape).

Common Collocations

业界精英

业界领先

业界动态

业界标准

业界专家

业界关注

业界声誉

业界新闻

业界大佬

业界公认

Common Phrases

业界良心

— A person or company with high integrity. Often used for great value products.

这个APP真是业界良心。

业界翘楚

— A top-tier person or entity in the industry.

他是金融界的翘楚。

跨界合作

— Cooperation between different industries.

这次跨界合作很成功。

业界大咖

— A big shot or influential person in the industry.

业界大咖云集。

业界风向标

— Something that indicates the future direction of the industry.

这个展会是业界风向标。

业界地位

— One's status or ranking within the industry.

他的业界地位稳固。

业界交流

— Exchange of ideas between professionals.

加强业界交流。

业界名声

— The reputation one has among peers.

业界名声受损。

业界标杆

— A benchmark or gold standard in the field.

他是业界的标杆。

业界寒冬

— A period of recession or difficulty for an industry.

房地产遭遇业界寒冬。

Often Confused With

业界 vs 行业

Hángyè refers to the sector; Yèjiè refers to the professional circle.

业界 vs 工业

Gōngyè is manufacturing; Yèjiè is any professional field.

业界 vs 世界

Shìjiè is the physical world; Yèjiè is the professional world.

Idioms & Expressions

"独领风骚"

— To be the most outstanding in the field.

他在业界独领风骚。

Formal

"出类拔萃"

— To stand out from the crowd/peers.

他是业界出类拔萃的人才。

Neutral

"后起之秀"

— A rising star in the industry.

这位年轻人是业界的后起之秀。

Neutral

"名声大噪"

— To become suddenly famous in the industry.

他因那项发明在业界名声大噪。

Formal

"凤毛麟角"

— Something extremely rare in the industry.

这种人才在业界是凤毛麟角。

Formal

"口碑载道"

— Widespread praise within the industry.

该公司的服务在业界口碑载道。

Formal

"名列前茅"

— To be among the best in the industry rankings.

该公司的业绩在业界名列前茅。

Neutral

"无人不晓"

— Known by everyone in the industry.

他的名字在业界无人不晓。

Neutral

"深藏不露"

— To hide one's great talent within the industry.

他是业界深藏不露的高手。

Informal

"一枝独秀"

— To be the only outstanding one in a field.

这家公司在业界一枝独秀。

Formal

Easily Confused

业界 vs 行业

Both translate to 'industry'.

Hángyè is broader and more categorical; Yèjiè is more about the people and community.

教育行业 vs 教育业界

业界 vs 学界

Both end in 'jiè'.

Xuéjiè is academia; Yèjiè is the professional/business side.

学界研究 vs 业界应用

业界 vs 商界

Both relate to business.

Shāngjiè is specifically the world of commerce/businessmen; Yèjiè can be any professional field (even non-profit or technical).

商界领袖 vs 医疗业界

业界 vs 领域

Both mean 'field'.

Lǐngyù is more abstract and academic; Yèjiè is more professional and practical.

研究领域 vs 业界动态

业界 vs 圈子

Both mean 'circle'.

Quānzi is informal and social; Yèjiè is formal and professional.

朋友圈 vs 业界精英

Sentence Patterns

他在...业界工作。

他在IT业界工作。

在业界，...很有名。

在业界，这家公司很有名。

这是业界的...。

这是业界的最新消息。

引起了业界的...。

引起了业界的广泛讨论。

被业界公认为...。

被业界公认为最好的产品。

业界对...持有...态度。

业界对这一变化持有乐观态度。

作为业界的一员，...。

作为业界的一员，我深感责任重大。

重塑业界的...格局。

重塑业界的竞争格局。

Word Family

Nouns

业务 (yèwù - business/service)

业绩 (yèjì - performance)

职业 (zhíyè - profession)

界限 (jièxiàn - limit/boundary)

Verbs

毕业 (bìyè - to graduate)

失业 (shīyè - to be unemployed)

开界 (kāijiè - to open boundaries/rare)

Adjectives

专业 (zhuānyè - professional)

业余 (yèyú - amateur/spare time)

行业

领域

圈子

产业

工业

How to Use It

frequency

Common in news and work settings.

Common Mistakes

Using 业界 for 'Industrial Revolution'. → 工业革命 (Gōngyè Gémìng).
业界 refers to professional circles, not manufacturing/industry as a whole.
Saying '换一个业界'. → 换一个行业 (Huàn yīgè hángyè).
You change the 'sector' (行业), not the 'circles' (业界).
Using 业界 as a verb. → 在业界工作 (Work in the industry).
业界 is strictly a noun.
Confusing 业界 with 世界. → 业界 (Professional world) vs 世界 (World).
They sound similar but have very different meanings.
Using 业界 for a single company. → 这家公司 (This company).
业界 refers to the entire professional community, not one entity.

Tips

Sound like a Pro

Use '业界' in job interviews to show you follow professional news.

No 'De' Needed

When specifying an industry, like 'IT 业界', you don't need the particle '的'.

Learn the Pair

Always learn '业界' alongside '学界' to talk about the two main professional worlds.

Internet Slang

Look for '业界良心' in product reviews to find high-quality recommendations.

Subject Usage

Make '业界' the subject to make your claims sound more authoritative.

News Context

In news, '业界' often signals that an expert opinion is coming next.

Networking

Refer to someone as an '业界精英' to give them a high compliment.

Industry vs Sector

Remember: 行业 = Sector, 业界 = Professional Circles.

Specific Fields

For very specific fields, you can just use the suffix '界' (e.g., 法律界).

Visualizing

Imagine a boundary line (界) around a business task (业).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Ye' (业) as your 'Yes-Job' and 'Jie' (界) as the 'Jet-Set' circle you belong to. You are in the professional 'Job-Circle'.

Visual Association

Imagine a large circle (界) encompassing many office buildings and desks (业). Everyone inside the circle is a pro.

Word Web

业界业界行业学界商界政界业内

Challenge

Try to use '业界' in a sentence about your favorite hobby, treating it like a professional field (e.g., the 'gaming industry').

Word Origin

The term combines '业' (yè), which originally referred to a wooden board used for hanging bells in ancient China, later evolving to mean 'task' or 'business,' and '界' (jiè), which depicted boundaries between fields.

Original meaning: The boundaries or scope of a particular trade or business.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)

Cultural Context

No major sensitivities, but avoid using it to describe illegal or low-prestige activities unless being ironic.

In English, we often just say 'the industry,' but in Chinese, '业界' sounds slightly more prestigious than just '行业.'

CCTV-2 Business News frequently uses this term. Tech blogs like 36Kr often headline with '业界动态'. LinkedIn China (Lingying) uses '业界' for professional groupings.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business News

业界动态
业界报告
业界预测
业界评论

Job Hunting

业界口碑
业界人脉
业界经验
业界背景

Tech Reviews

业界领先
业界标准
业界良心
业界首创

Academia

业界合作
业界实践
业界需求
业界应用

Socializing

业界朋友
业界聚会
业界传闻
业界大佬

Conversation Starters

"你对现在的业界动态有什么看法？ (What do you think about current industry trends?)"

"他在你们业界的名声怎么样？ (How is his reputation in your industry?)"

"这个新技术在业界引起了很大的关注。 (This new technology has attracted a lot of attention in the industry.)"

"你想进入哪个业界工作？ (Which industry do you want to work in?)"

"这是业界公认的难题。 (This is a widely recognized problem in the industry.)"

Journal Prompts

写一写你所在的业界最近发生的一件大事。 (Write about a major recent event in your industry.)

你认为一个理想的业界环境应该是怎样的？ (What do you think an ideal industry environment should be like?)

谈谈你在业界遇到过的最有影响力的人。 (Talk about the most influential person you've met in the industry.)

为什么了解业界动态对职业发展很重要？ (Why is understanding industry trends important for career development?)

如果你可以改变业界的某一个规则，你会改变什么？ (If you could change one rule in the industry, what would it be?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Generally, yes, but it is best for established professional fields like tech, finance, or law. Using it for very casual jobs might sound strange.

In Chinese, it is singular but refers to a collective group, similar to 'the industry' in English.

业界 is the noun (the industry), while 业内 is usually an adjective or adverbial (within the industry).

Yes, it is a high compliment, though sometimes used ironically if a company is doing something very basic that others fail to do.

It is rare. Usually, we say '这个业界' or '某个业界' or '整个业界'.

You can say 业界领袖 (yèjiè lǐngxiù) or 业界翘楚 (yèjiè qiáochǔ).

Yes, it is common across all Mandarin-speaking regions.

Yes, '艺术业界' is acceptable, though '艺术界' is more common.

Yes, it is more formal than '行业' or '圈子'.

No, that would be '工业'. 业界 can be services, tech, finance, etc.