接轨

接軌

jiēguǐ

verb HSK 7 #48,228

Meanings

1 to connect with (international standards); to integrate
2 to link up (railway tracks)

Characters

to connect; to join

Literally 'connect the rails' — from the image of linking railway tracks together. Now almost always used figuratively.

Examples

中国经济正在与国际接轨。

Zhōngguó jīngjì zhèngzài yǔ guójì jiēguǐ.

China's economy is integrating with international standards.

我们的教育制度需要与世界接轨。

Wǒmen de jiàoyù zhìdù xūyào yǔ shìjiè jiēguǐ.

Our education system needs to align with the world.

Tips

history

与国际接轨 (yǔ guójì jiēguǐ, 'connect rails with the international community') became a buzzword in the 1990s-2000s as China opened up economically. It's still widely used in business, law, and policy discussions about meeting global standards.

Stroke Order

接 jiē

轨 guǐ