yǒujī: 有机 - Organic

• Keywords: 有机, youji, organic in Chinese, organic food China, organic farming, 有机化学, organic chemistry, 有机可乘, Chinese for organic, what does youji mean, healthy food in China
• Summary: 有机 (yǒujī) is the primary Chinese word for “organic,” most commonly used when discussing organic food, farming, and products grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Beyond the supermarket, the term also forms the basis for scientific terms like “organic chemistry” (有机化学) and appears in the common idiom “有机可乘” (yǒujī kě chéng), meaning to find an opportunity to exploit. This page explores all facets of 有机, from its role in modern Chinese health trends to its scientific and idiomatic applications.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yǒujī
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 5 (as part of 有机化学 - organic chemistry)
• Concise Definition: Pertaining to, or derived from, living matter; organic.
• In a Nutshell: Just like in English, 有机 is the go-to word for “organic,” especially when talking about food. It signifies a product that is natural, healthy, and produced in a way that is good for the environment. In China, where food safety is a major concern, the 有机 label is highly valued and often associated with a higher price and a healthier, more modern lifestyle.

• 有 (yǒu): A fundamental character meaning “to have,” “to possess,” or “there is.”
• 机 (jī): A versatile character meaning “machine,” “mechanism,” or “vital point.” In a biological or scientific context, it relates to the functional essence of an organism.
• The combination 有机 literally means “to have life principle” or “to possess an organic function.” It was originally a scientific term to distinguish substances derived from living organisms (organic) from those derived from non-living, mineral sources (无机, wújī - inorganic). This scientific meaning has since expanded to the popular cultural meaning related to food and farming.

The concept of “organic” food is a global phenomenon, but it resonates deeply with traditional Chinese values. While the modern organic movement in China is driven by a growing middle class and serious concerns about 食品安全 (shípǐn ānquán) - food safety, it also aligns with ancient principles. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Daoist philosophy have long emphasized living in harmony with nature (天人合一, tiān rén hé yī) and consuming pure, balanced foods. The 有机 movement, with its rejection of artificial chemicals (化肥 huàféi - chemical fertilizers) and 农药 (nóngyào) - pesticides, is seen by many as a modern return to these traditional ideals. In the West, “organic” is often associated with environmentalism and sustainability. In China, while these aspects are present, the primary driver is often personal health and safety for one's family. It's less about a counter-cultural statement and more about securing a safe, high-quality life in a rapidly developing society. The 有机 label is a powerful symbol of purity, safety, and affluence.

• Food and Lifestyle: This is the most common context. You will see 有机 everywhere in high-end supermarkets and on food packaging. It's a key marketing term.
  • `有机食品 (yǒujī shípǐn)` - Organic food
  • `有机蔬菜 (yǒujī shūcài)` - Organic vegetables
  • `有机认证 (yǒujī rènzhèng)` - Organic certification
• Science: The term retains its original scientific meaning.
  • `有机化学 (yǒujī huàxué)` - Organic chemistry
  • `有机物 (yǒujīwù)` - Organic matter
• Idiomatic Expression: The phrase 有机可乘 (yǒujī kě chéng) uses the same characters but has a completely different meaning. Here, 机 (jī) means “opportunity.” The idiom means “there is an opportunity to be exploited” or “to have a loophole to take advantage of.” It often carries a negative connotation, implying someone is taking advantage of a weakness.

• Example 1:
  • 我尽量只买有机食品，因为更健康。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ jǐnliàng zhǐ mǎi yǒujī shípǐn, yīnwèi gèng jiànkāng.
  • English: I try my best to only buy organic food because it's healthier.
  • Analysis: A simple, common sentence expressing the primary motivation for buying organic products in China.
• Example 2:
  • 这种有机牛奶比普通牛奶贵一倍。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng yǒujī niúnǎi bǐ pǔtōng niúnǎi guì yī bèi.
  • English: This kind of organic milk is twice as expensive as regular milk.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the economic reality of organic products. The structure `比…贵一倍 (bǐ…guì yī bèi)` means “is twice as expensive as…”
• Example 3:
  • 请问，你们超市有有机蔬菜专区吗？
  • Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, nǐmen chāoshì yǒu yǒujī shūcài zhuānqū ma?
  • English: Excuse me, does your supermarket have a special section for organic vegetables?
  • Analysis: A practical question you might ask while shopping in China. `专区 (zhuānqū)` means a special or designated area.
• Example 4:
  • 他们的家庭农场获得了国家的有机认证。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen de jiātíng nóngchǎng huòdéle guójiā de yǒujī rènzhèng.
  • English: Their family farm received the national organic certification.
  • Analysis: This shows how 有机 is used in a more formal, official context related to regulation. `认证 (rènzhèng)` is “certification.”
• Example 5:
  • 大学的时候，我最讨厌的课就是有机化学。
  • Pinyin: Dàxué de shíhòu, wǒ zuì tǎoyàn de kè jiùshì yǒujī huàxué.
  • English: When I was in university, my most hated class was organic chemistry.
  • Analysis: This example clearly demonstrates the scientific usage of a term.
• Example 6:
  • 很多年轻人开始追求一种有机的生活方式。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō niánqīngrén kāishǐ zhuīqiú yī zhǒng yǒujī de shēnghuó fāngshì.
  • English: Many young people are beginning to pursue an organic lifestyle.
  • Analysis: Here, 有机 is used more broadly than just food, describing a whole lifestyle that is natural and healthy.
• Example 7:
  • 系统存在一个漏洞，让黑客有机可乘。
  • Pinyin: Xìtǒng cúnzài yī gè lòudòng, ràng hēikè yǒujī kě chéng.
  • English: The system has a vulnerability, giving hackers an opportunity to exploit it.
  • Analysis: This is a perfect example of the idiomatic usage. Notice the meaning has nothing to do with food or farming. `黑客 (hēikè)` is a loanword for “hacker.”
• Example 8:
  • 我们必须加强管理，不给腐败分子留下任何有机可乘的机会。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū jiāqiáng guǎnlǐ, bù gěi fǔbài fènzǐ liú xià rènhé yǒujī kě chéng de jīhuì.
  • English: We must strengthen management and not leave any opportunity for corrupt elements to exploit.
  • Analysis: A formal example of the idiom used in the context of politics or business ethics.
• Example 9:
  • 这个苹果虽然不是有机的，但是味道很天然。
  • Pinyin: Zhè ge píngguǒ suīrán bùshì yǒujī de, dànshì wèidào hěn tiānrán.
  • English: Although this apple isn't organic, its flavor is very natural.
  • Analysis: This sentence helps distinguish between 有机 (a formal production standard) and `天然 (tiānrán)` (natural, a general quality).
• Example 10:
  • 区分有机肥料和化学肥料对农民来说很重要。
  • Pinyin: Qūfēn yǒujī féiliào hé huàxué féiliào duì nóngmín lái shuō hěn zhòngyào.
  • English: Distinguishing between organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer is very important for farmers.
  • Analysis: This sentence goes back to the core of organic farming, focusing on `肥料 (féiliào)` - fertilizer.

• Mistake 1: Confusing the Food and Idiom Meanings. The most significant pitfall is misunderstanding `有机可乘 (yǒujī kě chéng)`. A sentence like “系统让黑客有机可乘” does not mean “the system allowed the hacker to be organic.” Remember that in the idiom, 机 means “opportunity,” not “organism.”
• Mistake 2: Using 有机 for “Natural.” While related, 有机 is a technical term for a specific method of cultivation. For something that is generally “natural” like scenery or a person's temperament, you should use 天然 (tiānrán). You would say `天然的风景 (tiānrán de fēngjǐng)` (natural scenery), not `有机的风景`.
• “False Friend” Alert: Do not confuse 有机 (yǒujī) with the English word “organized.” They are completely unrelated. The Chinese word for “organized” is `有组织的 (yǒu zǔzhī de)`.

• 无机 (wújī) - Inorganic. The direct scientific and conceptual antonym of 有机.
• 绿色食品 (lǜsè shípǐn) - “Green Food.” A specific Chinese food certification that allows for limited, regulated use of chemicals. It's a step up from conventional but a step below the stricter 有机 standard.
• 无公害 (wú gōnghài) - “Harmless” or “Pollution-free.” The most basic level of food safety certification in China, focusing on meeting minimum residue standards.
• 天然 (tiānrán) - Natural. Describes something that exists in or is caused by nature, not made or caused by humankind. It's a broader, less technical term than 有机.
• 食品安全 (shípǐn ānquán) - Food Safety. A major social issue in China and the primary cultural driver behind the popularity of 有机 products.
• 农药 (nóngyào) - Pesticide/Agricultural chemical. What 有机 farming aims to eliminate.
• 化肥 (huàféi) - Chemical fertilizer. The “inorganic” fertilizer that is replaced by “organic” fertilizer (`有机肥料`) in organic farming.
• 有机可乘 (yǒujī kě chéng) - An idiom meaning “to have an opportunity/loophole to exploit.” Essential to list separately due to its distinct meaning.