====== jīgòu: 机构 - Organization, Institution, Agency ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** jigou, 机构, Chinese for organization, Chinese for institution, Chinese for agency, what does jigou mean, Chinese government agency, financial institution in Chinese, HSK 4 vocabulary.
  * **Summary:** An essential HSK 4 term, **机构 (jīgòu)** is the formal Chinese word for an "organization," "institution," or "agency." It refers to any structured entity, from government bodies and financial institutions like banks, to non-profits and internal company departments. Understanding **机构** is key to navigating the official, business, and administrative landscapes of modern China.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** jī gòu
  * **Part of Speech:** Noun
  * **HSK Level:** 4
  * **Concise Definition:** A structured organization, institution, or agency, typically with a formal or official capacity.
  * **In a Nutshell:** Think of **机构 (jīgòu)** as the "official" word for any established group with a specific purpose and an internal structure. It feels more formal and concrete than the English "group." It's the word you'd use for a bank, a government bureau, a research center, or an international body like the UN. If it has a nameplate on a building and a defined function, it's likely a **机构**.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **机 (jī):** Originally referred to the complex mechanism of a loom. Today, its meaning has expanded to "machine," "mechanism," "opportunity," or "crucial point." It contributes the sense of //function// and //mechanism// to the word.
  * **构 (gòu):** Means "to construct," "to form," or "structure." It's composed of the radical for wood (木) and another phonetic component, evoking the idea of building a wooden frame or structure. It contributes the sense of //structure// and //framework//.
When combined, **机构 (jīgòu)** literally translates to a "mechanism-structure." This perfectly captures the modern meaning: an entity with a defined internal structure (**构**) that performs a specific function (**机**).
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
In a society like China that places a high value on order, hierarchy, and established systems, the concept of **机构 (jīgòu)** is fundamental. It represents legitimacy, authority, and the formal channels through which things get done.
A useful comparison is to the English word "organization." While "organization" can refer to anything from a local book club to a multinational corporation, **机构 (jīgòu)** is almost exclusively used for entities with a more formal, official, or established presence. A casual club would be a `[[组织]] (zǔzhī)`, but the government bureau that registers it is a **机构**.
This distinction reflects a cultural tendency to clearly delineate between informal social groups and formal, state-recognized or corporate entities. Knowing which **机构** to deal with—be it for a visa, a business license, or a loan—is a crucial part of life and business in China. It's tied to the value of navigating the system correctly and showing respect for official structures.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**机构** is a formal and widely used term, appearing frequently in news, official documents, business, and education. It's a descriptor, so its connotation is generally neutral.
  * **Government and Administration:** This is one of its most common uses.
    *   `政府机构 (zhèngfǔ jīgòu)` - Government agency/body
    *   `司法机构 (sīfǎ jīgòu)` - Judicial body
    *   `执法机构 (zhífǎ jīgòu)` - Law enforcement agency
  * **Business and Finance:**
    *   `金融机构 (jīnróng jīgòu)` - Financial institution (e.g., banks, insurance companies)
    *   `投资机构 (tóuzī jīgòu)` - Investment institution/firm
  * **Other Sectors:**
    *   `教育机构 (jiàoyù jīgòu)` - Educational institution (e.g., a tutoring center, a university)
    *   `医疗机构 (yīliáo jīgòu)` - Medical institution/facility (e.g., a hospital, a clinic)
    *   `非营利机构 (fēi yínglì jīgòu)` - Non-profit organization
  * **Internal Structure:** It can also refer to the internal structure or setup of a company.
    *   `公司正在调整其内部机构。 (Gōngsī zhèngzài tiáozhěng qí nèibù jīgòu.)` - The company is adjusting its internal structure.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 银行是一种重要的金融**机构**。
    * Pinyin: Yínháng shì yī zhǒng zhòngyào de jīnróng **jīgòu**.
    * English: Banks are an important type of financial institution.
    * Analysis: This is a classic textbook example, categorizing a bank (银行) as a type of 金融机构 (financial institution).
  * **Example 2:**
    * 他在一家政府**机构**工作。
    * Pinyin: Tā zài yī jiā zhèngfǔ **jīgòu** gōngzuò.
    * English: He works in a government agency.
    * Analysis: This clearly shows the use of 机构 for official, state-run bodies. Note the measure word `家 (jiā)`, which is commonly used for institutions and companies.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 很多家长会送孩子去课外辅导**机构**。
    * Pinyin: Hěn duō jiāzhǎng huì sòng háizi qù kèwài fǔdǎo **jīgòu**.
    * English: Many parents will send their children to after-school tutoring institutions.
    * Analysis: This shows that 机构 isn't just for government or finance. Any formalized service provider, like a tutoring center, is also a 机构.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 联合国是世界上最大的国际**机构**。
    * Pinyin: Liánhéguó shì shìjiè shàng zuì dà de guójì **jīgòu**.
    * English: The United Nations is the world's largest international organization.
    * Analysis: The term scales up easily to describe large, multinational bodies.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 这家医疗**机构**的声誉很好。
    * Pinyin: Zhè jiā yīliáo **jīgòu** de shēngyù hěn hǎo.
    * English: This medical institution has a very good reputation.
    * Analysis: Here, 机构 refers to a hospital or clinic. `声誉 (shēngyù)` means "reputation."
  * **Example 6:**
    * 我们是一个帮助残疾人的慈善**机构**。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen shì yī gè bāngzhù cánjírén de císhàn **jīgòu**.
    * English: We are a charitable organization that helps disabled people.
    * Analysis: This demonstrates its use for non-profits and charities (`慈善机构`). The measure word `个 (gè)` can also be used, though `家 (jiā)` is also common.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 这个项目是由多个**机构**合作完成的。
    * Pinyin: Zhè ge xiàngmù shì yóu duō ge **jīgòu** hézuò wánchéng de.
    * English: This project was completed through the cooperation of multiple organizations.
    * Analysis: `由...完成 (yóu...wánchéng)` is a common structure meaning "done by...". This sentence highlights collaboration between different entities.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 公司的内部**机构**非常复杂。
    * Pinyin: Gōngsī de nèibù **jīgòu** fēicháng fùzá.
    * English: The company's internal structure is very complex.
    * Analysis: This shows the secondary meaning of 机构 as "structure" or "setup," not just an external entity.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 你需要联系哪个**机构**才能办理这个手续？
    * Pinyin: Nǐ xūyào liánxì nǎge **jīgòu** cáinéng bànlǐ zhège shǒuxù?
    * English: Which agency do you need to contact in order to handle this procedure?
    * Analysis: A very practical question for anyone trying to get something done in China. `办理手续 (bànlǐ shǒuxù)` means "to go through procedures."
  * **Example 10:**
    * 这家研究**机构**发表了一份重要的报告。
    * Pinyin: Zhè jiā yánjiū **jīgòu** fābiǎo le yī fèn zhòngyào de bàogào.
    * English: This research institute published an important report.
    * Analysis: `研究机构 (yánjiū jīgòu)` is a research institute, another common type of organization. `发表 (fābiǎo)` means "to publish" or "to issue."
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **机构 (jīgòu) vs. 公司 (gōngsī):** This is a key distinction. `公司 (gōngsī)` means "company" and specifically refers to a for-profit business. All companies are a type of **机构**, but not all **机构** are companies. A government bureau is a **机构**, but it is //not// a `公司`.
    *   //Incorrect:// 这是政府的**公司**。 (Zhè shì zhèngfǔ de gōngsī.)
    *   //Correct:// 这是政府的**机构**。 (Zhè shì zhèngfǔ de jīgòu.)
  * **机构 (jīgòu) vs. 组织 (zǔzhī):** `组织 (zǔzhī)` is a broader and often less formal term. It can also be a verb ("to organize"). A student club, a protest group, or an informal association are all `组织`. Calling a book club a **机构** would sound strange and overly bureaucratic. **机构** implies a formal, established, and often registered entity with a physical presence and official function. Think of **机构** as a subset of `组织`.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * `[[公司]] (gōngsī)` - Company; corporation. A specific type of for-profit **机构**.
  * `[[单位]] (dānwèi)` - Work unit. A very common term for one's place of employment, especially state-owned or public ones. Your `单位` is your specific **机构**.
  * `[[组织]] (zǔzhī)` - Organization; to organize. A broader, sometimes less formal term than **机构**.
  * `[[部门]] (bùmén)` - Department; branch. A smaller division //within// a larger **机构** or `公司`.
  * `[[企业]] (qǐyè)` - Enterprise; business. A general term for a business, often used in formal or economic contexts. Similar to `公司`.
  * `[[政府]] (zhèngfǔ)` - Government. The overarching entity that is made up of many `政府机构`.
  * `[[团体]] (tuántǐ)` - Group; team; organization. Often used for social groups, associations, or delegations. Less formal than **机构**.
  * `[[办事处]] (bànshìchù)` - Office; agency. A specific location or branch set up to handle business, often for a larger **机构**.