guanxi

/ ˌɡwænˈsiː /

noun

1. a Chinese social concept based on the exchange of favours, in which personal relationships are considered more important than laws and written agreements

Word History and Origins

Origin of guanxi¹

C20: Chinese: relationships

Example Sentences

“People who want to get into the Beijing Film Academy need guanxi [connections],” says Yu Qi, a book editor in Beijing.

From The Daily Beast