Guanxi

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈkwanʃi/, /ˈɡwanʃi/
• Note: This is often pronounced in Chinese fashion, with or without the appropriate tones.

Origin

From Mandarin (guānxi

), literally relation connection.

Full definition of guanxi

Noun

1. (In the context of Chinese society) Connections; relationships; one's social or business network.To open a new business in China you need guanxi.
• 1996, James O'Reilly, Sean O'Reilly, Larry Habegger (editors), Travellers' Tales - Hong Kong http://books.google.co.uk/books?vid=ISBN1885211031&id=DMy8ANLFJPoC&pg=PA384&lpg=PA384&dq=%22good+guanxi%22&sig=2k-Am3GuY0OcYkPm3AGblSfFiC0Who would dare to drive around in a drive car that was so obviously stolen and smuggled into the country? The police, of course! And Communisty Party officials. And those with guanxi with the police.
• 1998, Stuart Cohen, Invisible WorldBy chance he'd happened to be in Hong Kong when Clayton had died, and his guanxi had smoothed out the paperwork that could have delayed things for weeks.
• 2000, Yadong Luo, Strategy, Structure, and Performance of MNCs in China http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN156720385X&id=xi3amIAV1sEC&pg=PA56&lpg=PA56&dq=guanxi&sig=pej1VNMjpDiO9bWHrXnlEbUKV_IIt should be noted that the existence of a basis for guanxi does not imply that such an alliance will develop.
• 2005, China-Britain Business CouncilMany foreigners claim to have guanxi with their Chinese counterparts; few actually do.

Synonyms

• blat from Russian