rùjìng: 入境 - To Enter a Country, Immigration (Entry)

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• Summary: “入境 (rùjìng)” is the essential Chinese term for entering a country or passing through immigration. Whether you're a tourist landing at Beijing Capital Airport or a student crossing a land border, “rùjìng” refers to the formal process of clearing border control. This guide will break down its meaning, show you how to use it in practical situations like filling out an arrival card, and differentiate it from related concepts like “chūjìng” (exiting a country) and “qiānzhèng” (visa).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): rùjìng
• Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To enter a country's national border; the act of entry or immigration.
• In a Nutshell: “入境 (rùjìng)” is the official, formal word for the action of passing through a country's immigration control. You will see, hear, and use this term almost exclusively in the context of international travel at airports, seaports, and land borders. It's the word on the sign above the immigration officer's desk.

• 入 (rù): This character means “to enter” or “to go into.” Its shape is often compared to a wedge or an arrow pointing inwards, visually representing the concept of entry.
• 境 (jìng): This character means “border,” “boundary,” or “territory.” The left-side radical 土 (tǔ) means “earth” or “soil,” signifying land. The right side contributes to the meaning of a defined area.
• Together, 入境 (rùjìng) literally and directly means “to enter (入) the border/territory (境).”

While “入境” is primarily a legal and administrative term, its usage highlights a strong sense of national sovereignty and the formality of crossing borders in China. In casual English, one might say, “We get to London at 6 AM.” The focus is on arrival at the destination. In Chinese, the procedural steps are often more explicitly named. You first `抵达` (dǐdá - arrive), then you must `入境` (rùjìng - clear immigration), and then `过海关` (guò hǎiguān - pass through customs). This compartmentalization of the process in language reflects a culture where administrative procedures are seen as distinct, important, and formal steps. Comparing “入境” to simply “arriving” is like comparing “clearing immigration” to “getting off the plane”—the former is a specific, official action, while the latter is a general event. It underscores the state's role in managing who enters its territory.

“入境” is used in formal and official contexts related to international travel and law. You will almost never hear it in casual conversation among friends planning a trip.

• At the Airport/Border: This is the most common context. You'll see it on signs directing passengers to immigration control, on forms like the `入境卡` (rùjìng kǎ - arrival card), and you might be asked about your `入境目的` (rùjìng mùdì - purpose of entry).
• News and Official Announcements: News reports about tourism numbers, changes in visa policies, or public health measures at the border will frequently use “入境”. For example, a report might discuss new `入境政策` (rùjìng zhèngcè - entry policies).
• Legal and Immigration Services: When discussing the legal aspects of entering or residing in China, “入境” is the correct term. This includes topics like `非法入境` (fēifǎ rùjìng - illegal entry) or rules for foreigners.

The connotation is consistently neutral and formal. It simply describes a procedure.

• Example 1:
  • 所有旅客在入境前都必须填写入境卡。
  • Pinyin: Suǒyǒu lǚkè zài rùjìng qián dōu bìxū tiánxiě rùjìng kǎ.
  • English: All travelers must fill out an arrival card before entering the country (clearing immigration).
  • Analysis: This is a typical instruction you would hear on an airplane or see on a sign. “入境卡” (rùjìng kǎ) means “arrival card.”
• Example 2:
  • 入境审查官检查了我的护照和签证。
  • Pinyin: Rùjìng shěnchá guān jiǎnchá le wǒ de hùzhào hé qiānzhèng.
  • English: The immigration officer checked my passport and visa.
  • Analysis: Here, “入境” is used as a descriptor for the officer (`审查官 shěnchá guān`), specifying their role relates to immigration control.
• Example 3:
  • 请问您这次入境的目的是什么？旅游还是工作？
  • Pinyin: Qǐngwèn nín zhè cì rùjìng de mùdì shì shénme? Lǚyóu háishì gōngzuò?
  • English: Excuse me, what is the purpose of your entry this time? Tourism or work?
  • Analysis: A very common and standard question from an immigration officer.
• Example 4:
  • 由于新冠疫情，很多国家都收紧了入境政策。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú xīnguān yìqíng, hěnduō guójiā dōu shōujǐn le rùjìng zhèngcè.
  • English: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries tightened their entry policies.
  • Analysis: This shows how “入境” is used in formal news and policy discussions.
• Example 5:
  • 我们下飞机后，排队办理入境手续排了将近一个小时。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xià fēijī hòu, páiduì bànlǐ rùjìng shǒuxù pái le jiāngjìn yī ge xiǎoshí.
  • English: After we got off the plane, we waited in line to go through immigration procedures for almost an hour.
  • Analysis: Here “入境” acts as a noun within the phrase “入境手续” (rùjìng shǒuxù), meaning immigration procedures.
• Example 6:
  • 他的签证有问题，所以被拒绝入境。
  • Pinyin: Tā de qiānzhèng yǒu wèntí, suǒyǐ bèi jùjué rùjìng.
  • English: He had a problem with his visa, so he was denied entry.
  • Analysis: The phrase “被拒绝入境” (bèi jùjué rùjìng) is the standard way to say “to be denied entry.”
• Example 7:
  • 目前入境中国需要提供核酸检测阴性证明。
  • Pinyin: Mùqián rùjìng Zhōngguó xūyào tígōng hésuān jiǎncè yīnxìng zhèngmíng.
  • English: Currently, entering China requires providing a negative nucleic acid test certificate.
  • Analysis: A practical example related to health requirements at the border.
• Example 8:
  • 非法入境是一种严重的违法行为。
  • Pinyin: Fēifǎ rùjìng shì yī zhǒng yánzhòng de wéifǎ xíngwéi.
  • English: Illegal entry is a serious criminal offense.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the use of “入境” in a legal context.
• Example 9:
  • 这位官员负责管理机场所有的出入境事务。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi guānyuán fùzé guǎnlǐ jīchǎng suǒyǒu de chū rùjìng shìwù.
  • English: This official is responsible for managing all entry and exit affairs at the airport.
  • Analysis: “出入境” (chū rù jìng) is a very common compound word meaning “exit and entry” or “immigration” in a general sense.
• Example 10:
  • 一些新鲜水果和肉类产品是禁止入境的。
  • Pinyin: Yīxiē xīnxiān shuǐguǒ hé ròulèi chǎnpǐn shì jìnzhǐ rùjìng de.
  • English: Some fresh fruits and meat products are prohibited from being brought into the country.
  • Analysis: While customs (`海关 hǎiguān`) handles goods, the term “入境” can also be used to describe goods “entering the country's territory.”

• “入境” vs. “进去 (jìnqù)”: This is the most common mistake for beginners. `入境 (rùjìng)` is exclusively for entering a country. `进去 (jìnqù)` is a general-purpose verb for “to go in” or “to enter” any other place, like a room, a shop, or a park.
  • Correct: 我要进去商店。 (Wǒ yào jìnqù shāngdiàn.) - I want to go into the store.
  • Incorrect: 我要入境商店。 (Wǒ yào rùjìng shāngdiàn.) - This sounds like you're saying the store is a sovereign nation you must clear immigration to enter.
• “入境” vs. “移民 (yímín)”: `入境 (rùjìng)` is the *single act* of crossing the border. `移民 (yímín)` refers to the long-term process and status of “immigration” or “emigrating.” You `入境` every time you fly to China for a holiday. You only `移民` if you move there to live permanently.
  • Act of Entry: 他昨天顺利入境了。(Tā zuótiān shùnlì rùjìng le.) - He successfully entered the country yesterday.
  • Permanent Move: 他打算移民到澳大利亚。(Tā dǎsuàn yímín dào Àodàlìyà.) - He plans to immigrate to Australia.
• Don't use it for casual arrival: When telling a friend your travel plans, use `到 (dào)` - “to arrive”.
  • Natural: 我们明天下午三点到上海。(Wǒmen míngtiān xiàwǔ sān diǎn dào Shànghǎi.) - We arrive in Shanghai at 3 PM tomorrow.
  • Unnatural/Overly Formal: 我们明天下午三点入境上海。(Wǒmen míngtiān xiàwǔ sān diǎn rùjìng Shànghǎi.)

• 出境 (chūjìng) - The direct antonym of `入境`. It means “to exit a country,” “to clear outbound immigration.”
• 签证 (qiānzhèng) - Visa. The official document allowing you to travel to a country and seek entry. You need a `签证` before you can `入境`.
• 护照 (hùzhào) - Passport. The essential travel document issued by your home country.
• 海关 (hǎiguān) - Customs. The agency and process for checking goods and baggage, not people. Often located right after `入境`.
• 边境 (biānjìng) - Border; frontier. Refers to the physical or political line separating two countries.
• 过境 (guòjìng) - Transit. To pass through a country on the way to a third destination, often without formally “entering” for an extended stay.
• 移民 (yímín) - To immigrate; immigrant. The broader concept of moving to a new country to live.
• 外国人 (wàiguó rén) - Foreigner. The official and general term for a non-citizen.
• 手续 (shǒuxù) - Procedures; formalities. Often used with `入境` as in `入境手续` (immigration procedures).