chūjìng: 出境 - To Leave a Country, To Exit a Border

• Keywords: 出境, chujing, chūjìng, leave China, exit a country, China border crossing, China customs, 出入境, Chinese for travel, go abroad from China, passport control China, immigration, departure.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term 出境 (chūjìng), which means “to leave a country” or “to exit a border.” This guide explains everything you need to know about using chūjìng for travel, from navigating airport passport control in China to understanding official documents. Discover its cultural context, practical examples, and related terms like 入境 (rùjìng - to enter a country) for a complete understanding of Chinese for travel and border crossing.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): chūjìng
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To leave a country's national border; to pass through outbound immigration.
• In a Nutshell: 出境 (chūjìng) is the formal, official term for the act of physically leaving a country. Think of it as the specific moment you hand your passport to the immigration officer at the airport to get your exit stamp. It's not a casual word for “going on a trip abroad” but rather refers to the procedural act of “clearing outbound immigration.”

• 出 (chū): Meaning “to go out” or “to exit.” The character is a pictogram that originally depicted a foot stepping out of a dwelling or enclosure, symbolizing movement outwards.
• 境 (jìng): Meaning “border,” “boundary,” or “territory.” It's composed of the radical 土 (tǔ), which means “earth” or “land,” and a phonetic component. Together, they signify the boundary of a piece of land or territory.
• The combination 出境 (chūjìng) is very literal: to go out (出) of a border (境).

While “leaving a country” might seem like a simple action, the term 出境 (chūjìng) in China carries a weight of formality and state control that might differ from Western experiences, such as traveling within the EU's Schengen Area. Historically, for many decades in the 20th century, the ability for an ordinary citizen to 出境 was severely restricted and a rare privilege. Today, while international travel is common, the process remains highly formalized. The use of 出境 emphasizes that leaving the country is not just a personal trip but an official act monitored by the state. You don't just “leave”; you go through a specific, state-sanctioned procedure. This contrasts with a culture where borders are more fluid. Seeing signs for 出境 at an airport is a clear reminder of national sovereignty and the distinct boundary between China and the rest of the world.

出境 (chūjìng) is almost exclusively used in formal and official contexts related to travel and immigration. You will encounter it constantly in airports, on government websites, and in news reports.

• At the Airport: Signs will direct you to 出境 (chūjìng) for international departures. This is the area for passport control and security checks for leaving the country. It's often paired with 入境 (rùjìng) as 出入境 (Exit & Entry).
• Official Documents: You will see this term on departure cards, visa applications, and in the name of the government body that manages this process: the 出入境管理局 (Chū Rù Jìng Guǎnlǐ Jú), or the Exit and Entry Administration Bureau.
• Connotation: The term is neutral and procedural. It's a technical term, not an emotional one. You would not use it to tell a friend about your exciting vacation plans. For that, you would use the more general term 出国 (chūguó - to go abroad).

• Example 1:
  • 办理出境手续的旅客请往这边走。
  • Pinyin: Bànlǐ chūjìng shǒuxù de lǚkè qǐng wǎng zhèbiān zǒu.
  • English: Passengers handling departure procedures, please go this way.
  • Analysis: This is a typical announcement you would hear at a Chinese airport. It uses 出境 in a very procedural context.
• Example 2:
  • 每次出境时，海关都会检查我的行李。
  • Pinyin: Měi cì chūjìng shí, hǎiguān dōu huì jiǎnchá wǒ de xínglǐ.
  • English: Every time I leave the country, customs inspects my luggage.
  • Analysis: This sentence clearly links 出境 to the official actions (customs inspection) that happen at the border.
• Example 3:
  • 他因为护照问题，暂时无法出境。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi hùzhào wèntí, zànshí wúfǎ chūjìng.
  • English: He is temporarily unable to leave the country due to a passport issue.
  • Analysis: This shows how 出境 is a legal and official act that can be permitted or denied.
• Example 4:
  • 中国的出入境管理越来越方便了。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó de chū rù jìng guǎnlǐ yuèláiyuè fāngbiàn le.
  • English: China's exit and entry administration is becoming more and more convenient.
  • Analysis: Here, 出境 is combined with 入境 to form a set concept, 出入境 (chū rù jìng), which means “exit and entry” or “immigration” in a general sense.
• Example 5:
  • 出境前，我需要给我的猫找个宠物旅馆。
  • Pinyin: Chūjìng qián, wǒ xūyào gěi wǒ de māo zhǎo ge chǒngwù lǚguǎn.
  • English: Before I leave the country, I need to find a pet hotel for my cat.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates using 出境前 (before exiting the country) as a time marker for planning your departure. It's more formal than saying “before my trip.”
• Example 6:
  • 这是您的出境登记卡，请您确认信息。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì nín de chūjìng dēngjì kǎ, qǐng nín quèrèn xìnxī.
  • English: This is your departure card, please confirm the information.
  • Analysis: A clear example of 出境 being used as an adjective to describe an official document.
• Example 7:
  • 由于疫情，政府收紧了出境政策。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú yìqíng, zhèngfǔ shōujǐn le chūjìng zhèngcè.
  • English: Due to the pandemic, the government has tightened its border exit policies.
  • Analysis: This shows the term used in a formal, governmental context, as seen in news reports.
• Example 8:
  • 从深圳出境到香港非常快捷。
  • Pinyin: Cóng Shēnzhèn chūjìng dào Xiānggǎng fēicháng kuàijié.
  • English: Crossing the border from Shenzhen to Hong Kong is very fast.
  • Analysis: This is a specific use case. Even though Hong Kong is part of China, it has a separate immigration system, so you must still 出境 from mainland China to enter it.
• Example 9:
  • 我们的航班延误了，所以在出境大厅等了很久。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de hángbān yánwù le, suǒyǐ zài chūjìng dàtīng děng le hěn jiǔ.
  • English: Our flight was delayed, so we waited in the departure hall for a long time.
  • Analysis: 出境大厅 (chūjìng dàtīng) is the “departure hall,” specifically the international one after check-in but before boarding.
• Example 10:
  • 所有出境人员必须进行健康申报。
  • Pinyin: Suǒyǒu chūjìng rényuán bìxū jìnxíng jiànkāng shēnbào.
  • English: All personnel exiting the country must make a health declaration.
  • Analysis: A very formal, official instruction you might see on a sign or government notice.

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 出境 (chūjìng) and 出国 (chūguó).

• 出境 (chūjìng): The procedural act of crossing a border (e.g., at the airport immigration counter). It focuses on the process.
• 出国 (chūguó): “To go abroad.” The general concept of traveling to or being in a foreign country. It focuses on the destination and the entire experience.

Think of it this way: To 出国 (chūguó), you must first 出境 (chūjìng). Incorrect Usage Example:

• Incorrect: 我下个星期要出境去旅游。(Wǒ xià ge xīngqī yào chūjìng qù lǚyóu.)
• Why it's wrong: This sounds like you're telling your friend, “Next week I have to perform the administrative procedure of exiting the border to travel.” It's unnaturally formal and robotic.
• Correct: 我下个星期要出国去旅游。(Wǒ xià ge xīngqī yào chūguó qù lǚyóu.)
• Explanation: You're talking about the general plan of “going abroad,” so 出国 is the natural choice.

When to use 出境: Use it when you are talking about the specific immigration process, government regulations, or locations within an airport related to international departure.

• 入境 (rùjìng) - The direct antonym of 出境. It means “to enter a country” or “to pass through inbound immigration.”
• 出国 (chūguó) - A more common, general verb meaning “to go abroad.” This is what you use in daily conversation.
• 边境 (biānjìng) - The physical border or frontier between two countries.
• 海关 (hǎiguān) - Customs. The agency (and place) responsible for checking goods, not people. You clear 出境 (immigration) first, then sometimes 海关 (customs).
• 护照 (hùzhào) - Passport. The essential document needed to 出境.
• 签证 (qiānzhèng) - Visa. The official permission to enter another country, which is often checked when you 出境.
• 出入境管理局 (chū rù jìng guǎnlǐ jú) - Exit and Entry Administration Bureau. The official government department in charge of immigration.
• 关口 (guānkǒu) - A border crossing point, checkpoint, or pass. A more tangible word for a place where you cross a border.
• 过境 (guòjìng) - To transit. To pass through a country on your way to another destination.