guanxi

British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of guanxi

C20: Chinese: relationships

Example Sentences

It is not uncommon for people to use "guanxi" to help their children find jobs, she says, but what bothers her is the "deep-rooted unfairness".

From BBC • Jul. 17, 2025

Doctors and experts said the use of red packets and "guanxi", or connections, to gain access persists.

From Reuters • Feb. 14, 2023

“It stems back to the deep tradition of guanxi, or relationships, where friends introduce you to people you can trust for tasks or transactions.”

From Slate • May 31, 2019

To Wang, a homegrown Chinese entrepreneur who understands the importance of connections, or guanxi, his appreciation for America’s fairness belies a savvy political operator.

From Forbes • May 11, 2015

In close quarters, relationships count so heavily that to say something has no relationship in Chinese — mei guanxi — is to mean, often as not, it doesn’t matter.

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen