佳境 (jiā jìng) — the best stage; the most enjoyable or ideal part (of a process); beautiful scenery; scenic spot

Definition

Literary noun for 'the best stage' of a process (渐入佳境 — gradually entering its prime) or 'scenic beauty'. Always written/formal; not used in casual speech.

noun
the best stagethe most enjoyable or ideal part (of a process)beautiful sceneryscenic spot
Easily confused

Examples

  • ，。
    Gōng zuò dào le zhè ge jiē duàn, yǐ jīng jiàn rù jiā jìng le.
    At this stage of the work, it is gradually entering its best phase.
  • ，佳境。
    Dēng shàng shān dǐng, yǎn qián shì yí piàn rén jiān jiā jìng.
    After climbing to the top, a beautiful earthly scenery appeared before us.
  • 佳境。
    Tā de rén shēng zhèng bù rù jiā jìng.
    His life is entering its most wonderful stage.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

佳jiāgood/beautiful
境jìngstate/scenery

佳 (good/beautiful) specifies the kind of 境 (state/scenery).

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
人人rénman; person
Sound part声符shēngfú
圭
圭guī佳jiā
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

佳 combines 人 (person) with 圭, which is used for the sound guī.

Open 佳 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
土土tǔearth
Sound part声符shēngfú
竟
竟jìng境jìng
Same sound today

境 pairs 土 (earth) with 竟, which gives the sound; the 土 part carries the meaning.

Open 境 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.