qíshì: 歧视 - Discrimination

• Keywords: 歧视, qíshì, qishi, what does qishi mean, Chinese for discrimination, prejudice in Chinese, racial discrimination in China, gender discrimination in China, qishi meaning, 歧视 translate, Chinese culture, HSK 5
• Summary: Learn the meaning of 歧视 (qíshì), the primary Chinese word for “discrimination.” This comprehensive guide explores the term's use in various contexts, from racial and gender discrimination to unique cultural issues in China like regionalism and the Hukou system. With practical example sentences and cultural analysis, this entry is perfect for learners who want to understand how 歧视 is discussed and perceived in modern Chinese society.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): qíshì
• Part of Speech: Verb / Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To discriminate against someone; the act of discrimination.
• In a Nutshell: 歧视 (qíshì) is a strong, negative term that refers to the act of treating a person or group unfairly based on characteristics like their race, gender, age, or place of origin. It's not just about having a biased thought (that's 偏见 - piānjiàn); 歧视 is the unfair action that results from that bias. It carries the same serious and negative weight as “discrimination” in English.

• 歧 (qí): This character pictures a fork in the road (it contains the character 止, zhǐ, meaning foot). It means “to branch off,” “diverge,” or “go astray.” It carries the idea of something being different or separate from the main path.
• 视 (shì): This character means “to look at,” “to regard,” or “to see.” The radical on the left (示) is related to signs or revelations, while the right side (见) means “to see.”
• Combined Meaning: The characters literally combine to mean “to look at as different” or “to see divergently.” This brilliantly captures the essence of discrimination: viewing and consequently treating someone differently in a negative and unjust way.

While 歧视 (qíshì) is a universal concept, its most common manifestations in China can differ from those in the West. Understanding these differences is key to understanding modern Chinese society. In Western discourse, “discrimination” is very frequently linked to race. While China also discusses racial discrimination (种族歧视 - zhǒngzú qíshì), other forms are often more prominent in everyday life and public conversation: 1. Regional Discrimination (地域歧视 - dìyù qíshì): There are strong stereotypes associated with people from different provinces. For example, people from Shanghai are sometimes seen as aloof, while people from the Northeast (东北 - Dōngběi) might be stereotyped as boisterous. This can sometimes lead to 歧视 in housing or employment. 2. Hukou (户口) System Discrimination: The 户口 (hùkǒu) is a household registration system that ties citizens to their official hometown. A person with a rural hukou who moves to a big city like Beijing for work may not have the same access to public education, healthcare, and social benefits as a local hukou holder. This creates systemic 歧视 against migrant workers. 3. Ageism (年龄歧视 - niánlíng qíshì): It is very common in the Chinese job market to see explicit age limits in job descriptions (e.g., “must be under 35”). This form of 歧视 is widely acknowledged and discussed. Compared to the American concept of “networking,” which is often transactional, the Chinese concept of 关系 (guānxi) can sometimes be a vehicle for preferential treatment that borders on 歧视 against outsiders who are not part of the in-group.

歧视 (qíshì) is a formal and serious word. You use it when you are genuinely calling out unfair treatment.

• In Formal/Legal Settings: The term is used in news reports, academic papers, and legal documents concerning civil rights. For example, a discussion about an 反歧视法 (fǎn qíshì fǎ) or “anti-discrimination law.”
• In the Workplace: This is a major context. Complaining about 年龄歧视 (ageism) or 性别歧视 (gender discrimination) during the hiring process is a common use of the term.
• In Social Conversation: People use it to express outrage or complain about being treated unfairly. Calling someone's action 歧视 is a strong accusation. It is almost never used lightly or jokingly.
• Connotation: Exclusively negative. There is no neutral or positive context for 歧视.

• Example 1:
  • 这是赤裸裸的歧视！
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì chìluǒluǒ de qíshì!
  • English: This is blatant discrimination!
  • Analysis: A very common and strong phrase to call out something you see as unfair. `赤裸裸的 (chìluǒluǒ de)` means “naked” or “blatant.”
• Example 2:
  • 我们公司禁止任何形式的歧视。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī jìnzhǐ rènhé xíngshì de qíshì.
  • English: Our company prohibits any form of discrimination.
  • Analysis: Here, 歧视 is used as a noun. This is typical language you might see in a company handbook.
• Example 3:
  • 很多女性在求职时会遇到性别歧视。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō nǚxìng zài qiúzhí shí huì yùdào xìngbié qíshì.
  • English: Many women encounter gender discrimination when job hunting.
  • Analysis: `性别歧视 (xìngbié qíshì)` is the specific term for gender discrimination. `遇到 (yùdào)` means “to encounter” or “to run into.”
• Example 4:
  • 你不应该因为他的口音而歧视他。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bù yīnggāi yīnwèi tā de kǒuyīn ér qíshì tā.
  • English: You shouldn't discriminate against him because of his accent.
  • Analysis: Here, 歧视 is used as a verb. The structure `因为…而… (yīnwèi…ér…)` is a common way to show cause and effect.
• Example 5:
  • 种族歧视是一个全球性的问题。
  • Pinyin: Zhǒngzú qíshì shì yí ge quánqiúxìng de wèntí.
  • English: Racial discrimination is a global problem.
  • Analysis: `种族 (zhǒngzú)` means “race” or “ethnicity.”
• Example 6:
  • 他因为是农村来的，所以总是受到歧视。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi shì nóngcūn lái de, suǒyǐ zǒngshì shòudào qíshì.
  • English: Because he comes from the countryside, he is always discriminated against.
  • Analysis: The structure `受到歧视 (shòudào qíshì)` is the most common way to say “to be discriminated against.” It's a passive construction.
• Example 7:
  • 年龄歧视在招聘中很常见。
  • Pinyin: Niánlíng qíshì zài zhāopìn zhōng hěn chángjiàn.
  • English: Age discrimination is very common in recruitment.
  • Analysis: `年龄 (niánlíng)` is age. `招聘 (zhāopìn)` is recruitment/hiring.
• Example 8:
  • 反对歧视是每个人的责任。
  • Pinyin: Fǎnduì qíshì shì měi ge rén de zérèn.
  • English: Opposing discrimination is everyone's responsibility.
  • Analysis: `反对 (fǎnduì)` means “to oppose” or “to be against.”
• Example 9:
  • 仅仅因为我们意见不同，你不能歧视我。
  • Pinyin: Jǐnjǐn yīnwèi wǒmen yìjiàn bùtóng, nǐ bùnéng qíshì wǒ.
  • English: You can't discriminate against me just because we have different opinions.
  • Analysis: `仅仅因为 (jǐnjǐn yīnwèi)` means “just because.” This shows the verb usage of 歧视.
• Example 10:
  • 这项政策可能会对残疾人构成歧视。
  • Pinyin: Zhè xiàng zhèngcè kěnéng huì duì cánjírén gòuchéng qíshì.
  • English: This policy may constitute discrimination against disabled people.
  • Analysis: `构成歧视 (gòuchéng qíshì)` is a formal way to say “constitutes discrimination.” `残疾人 (cánjírén)` means disabled people.

• 歧视 (qíshì) vs. 偏见 (piānjiàn): This is the most critical distinction for learners.
  • 偏见 (piānjiàn) is “prejudice” or “bias.” It is a thought or an attitude.
  • 歧视 (qíshì) is “discrimination.” It is an action or a treatment.
  • You can have a 偏见 (prejudice) against a group, but if you don't act on it unfairly, you aren't committing 歧视 (discrimination).
• “False Friend” with English “Discriminate”:
  • In English, “discriminate” can be neutral. For example, “a connoisseur can discriminate between different types of wine.”
  • The Chinese word 歧视 is NEVER neutral. It is exclusively negative and implies injustice.
  • To express the neutral meaning of “telling the difference,” you should use words like 分辨 (fēnbiàn) or 区分 (qūfēn).
  • Incorrect: 他可以歧视真货和假货。 (Tā kěyǐ qíshì zhēnhuò hé jiǎhuò.)
  • Correct: 他可以分辨真货和假货。 (Tā kěyǐ fēnbiàn zhēnhuò hé jiǎhuò.) → He can distinguish between real and fake goods.

• 偏见 (piānjiàn) - Prejudice, bias. The internal attitude or thought that often leads to 歧视.
• 平等 (píngděng) - Equality. The direct antonym of 歧视.
• 不公平 (bù gōngpíng) - Unfair, unjust. A broader term; 歧视 is a specific type of unfairness.
• 刻板印象 (kèbǎn yìnxiàng) - Stereotype. A generalized belief about a group of people, which is often the basis for 偏见.
• 种族主义 (zhǒngzú zhǔyì) - Racism. The ideology or system of beliefs behind racial discrimination.
• 户口 (hùkǒu) - Household Registration System. A key source of systemic, regional discrimination in China.
• 地域黑 (dìyù hēi) - A popular, modern slang term for regional bashing or discrimination. Literally “regional blackening.”
• 性别歧视 (xìngbié qíshì) - Gender discrimination.
• 年龄歧视 (niánlíng qíshì) - Age discrimination.
• 区别对待 (qūbié duìdài) - To treat differently. This is a more neutral term, but can be used as a euphemism for 歧视 in certain contexts.