jīnglì: 经历 - Experience, To Go Through, To Undergo

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• Summary: Learn the crucial Chinese word 经历 (jīnglì), which means “to experience” or “an experience.” Unlike the English word, `经历` focuses on the *process* of going through a significant event, whether a hardship, a journey, or a life-changing period. This page breaks down how to use `经历` as both a verb and a noun, its cultural importance in valuing resilience, and the key difference between `经历` (the event) and `经验` (the knowledge gained).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jīnglì
• Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To go through or undergo a process or event; the process or event itself.
• In a Nutshell: `经历` is about the journey, not the destination. It refers to the actual act of living through something significant. Think of it as the story of what happened to you. When you talk about your `经历`, you are recounting a chapter of your life, like a difficult time you overcame, a war you survived, or a transformative trip you took. The focus is on the event itself, which becomes a part of your personal history.

• 经 (jīng): This character's original meaning relates to the vertical threads on a loom (warp). By extension, it means “to pass through,” “to go by,” or “to undergo.” It also means “classic text” or “scripture,” as in something that has stood the test of time.
• 历 (lì): This character means “to pass through,” “to experience,” and is related to concepts of time like “history” (历史) and “calendar” (日历). It suggests a progression of events over a period.
• Combined Meaning: Putting `经` (to pass through) and `历` (to go through time) together creates a strong, layered word. It emphasizes a significant process that you have personally passed through, which has now become part of your life's history.

In Chinese culture, there's a profound respect for resilience and the wisdom gained from hardship. The concept of `吃苦 (chīkǔ)`, or “eating bitterness,” suggests that enduring difficult times is virtuous and character-building. Your `经历` are the raw materials for this growth. A person with a rich and varied `经历`, especially one who has overcome adversity, is often seen as wise, mature, and respectable. Their experiences are not just personal anecdotes; they are proof of their strength and a source of valuable life lessons for others. Comparison to Western “Experience”: In English, “experience” can be very broad. You can have a “good experience” at a coffee shop, which is a fleeting, minor event. In Chinese, you wouldn't typically use `经历` for something so trivial. `经历` carries more weight; it's reserved for events that are more prolonged, impactful, or formative. For example, “working in a foreign country for a year” is a `经历`. “Trying a new flavor of ice cream” is more of a `体验 (tǐyàn)` – a sensory experience. This distinction highlights that `经历` is tied to the narrative of your life, not just a momentary sensation.

`经历` is a common word used in both formal and informal contexts to discuss life events.

• As a Verb (to go through/undergo): It's often used with `了 (le)` to indicate a completed action. It describes the process of living through something.
  • e.g., `他经历了很多困难。` (Tā jīnglì le hěn duō kùnnan.) - He went through many difficulties.
• As a Noun (an experience/personal history): It refers to the event or series of events as a whole. It's often quantifiable with measure words like `次 (cì)` or `段 (duàn)`.
  • e.g., `这是一次难忘的经历。` (Zhè shì yí cì nánwàng de jīnglì.) - This was an unforgettable experience.

The connotation of `经历` can be neutral, positive, or negative, depending entirely on the context. It can describe a painful breakup, a wonderful journey, or a challenging period of work.

• Example 1:
  • 每个人的人生经历都不同。
  • Pinyin: Měi ge rén de rénshēng jīnglì dōu bù tóng.
  • English: Every person's life experience is different.
  • Analysis: Here, `经历` is a noun referring to the sum of a person's life events. It's used in a general, philosophical sense.
• Example 2:
  • 我爷爷经历过战争，所以他特别珍惜和平。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yéye jīnglì guo zhànzhēng, suǒyǐ tā tèbié zhēnxī hépíng.
  • English: My grandfather went through the war, so he especially cherishes peace.
  • Analysis: `经历` is used as a verb with `过 (guo)` to emphasize a past, significant experience that has a lasting impact on the present.
• Example 3:
  • 这次失败的经历教会了我很多东西。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì shībài de jīnglì jiāohuì le wǒ hěn duō dōngxi.
  • English: This experience of failure taught me a lot.
  • Analysis: A classic example of `经历` as a noun. It refers to a specific event (“this failure”) that served as a life lesson.
• Example 4:
  • 你能分享一下你去非洲的经历吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng fēnxiǎng yíxià nǐ qù Fēizhōu de jīnglì ma?
  • English: Can you share your experience of going to Africa?
  • Analysis: Here, `经历` refers to the story of a journey. The speaker is asking for an account of what happened during the trip.
• Example 5:
  • 在过去的几年里，我们公司经历了快速发展。
  • Pinyin: Zài guòqù de jǐ nián lǐ, wǒmen gōngsī jīnglì le kuàisù fāzhǎn.
  • English: In the past few years, our company has undergone rapid development.
  • Analysis: `经历` is used as a verb in a business context to describe a period of change or a process the company went through.
• Example 6:
  • 对于孩子来说，父母离婚是一段痛苦的经历。
  • Pinyin: Duìyú háizi lái shuō, fùmǔ líhūn shì yí duàn tòngkǔ de jīnglì.
  • English: For a child, parents' divorce is a painful experience.
  • Analysis: The measure word `段 (duàn)`, meaning “a period of time,” is often used with `经历` to describe an experience that lasted for a while.
• Example 7:
  • 很多成功的企业家都有相似的创业经历。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō chénggōng de qǐyèjiā dōu yǒu xiāngsì de chuàngyè jīnglì.
  • English: Many successful entrepreneurs have similar startup experiences.
  • Analysis: `经历` is used as a noun to refer to a specific type of life story (the “startup experience”).
• Example 8:
  • 他的一生充满了传奇经历。
  • Pinyin: Tā de yìshēng chōngmǎn le chuánqí jīnglì.
  • English: His life was full of legendary experiences.
  • Analysis: This shows `经历` (noun) used to describe a collection of remarkable events that make up a person's life story.
• Example 9:
  • 你无法想象我经历了什么。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ wúfǎ xiǎngxiàng wǒ jīnglì le shénme.
  • English: You can't imagine what I've been through.
  • Analysis: A very common and emotional use of `经历` as a verb. It implies undergoing something difficult or extraordinary.
• Example 10:
  • 第一次独自旅行是一次宝贵的经历。
  • Pinyin: Dì yī cì dúzì lǚxíng shì yí cì bǎoguì de jīnglì.
  • English: Traveling alone for the first time is a precious experience.
  • Analysis: `经历` (noun) is used to describe a milestone event that is both a process and a memory.

The most common mistake for English speakers is confusing 经历 (jīnglì) with 经验 (jīngyàn). They both translate to “experience,” but their meanings are distinct.

• 经历 (jīnglì) - The Event/Story (Noun/Verb):
  • Refers to the *process* you went through, the event itself.
  • It's the story of what happened.
  • Example: `我去年住院的经历很难忘。` (My experience of being hospitalized last year is unforgettable.) → You're talking about the event.
• 经验 (jīngyàn) - The Skill/Knowledge (Noun only):
  • Refers to the *knowledge, wisdom, or skill* you gained from your experiences.
  • It's the lesson learned or the qualification you have.
  • Example: `他在市场营销方面很有经验。` (He is very experienced in marketing.) → You're talking about his expertise.

Common Mistake Examples:

• Incorrect: `这份工作需要三年的工作经历。` (This job requires three years of work “story/event”.)
• Why it's wrong: A job application requires proof of skill and knowledge gained over time, not just the story of having been at a job.
• Correct: `这份工作需要三年的工作经验。` (This job requires three years of work experience/expertise.)
• Incorrect: `那次旅行是一个很好的经验。` (That trip was a good piece of knowledge/skill.)
• Why it's wrong: A trip is an event, a journey you took. You are describing the event itself, not a specific skill you learned (unless that is your specific point).
• Correct: `那次旅行是一个很好的经历。` (That trip was a great experience/journey.)

• 经验 (jīngyàn) - The knowledge, skill, or wisdom gained *from* a `经历`. The lesson, not the story.
• 体验 (tǐyàn) - To experience with one's senses; a more personal, physical, or sensory experience. Often used for trying new things (e.g., trying a new food, using a VR headset).
• 感受 (gǎnshòu) - A feeling, an impression, or the act of feeling/perceiving something. It's about the emotional or sensory takeaway.
• 过程 (guòchéng) - Process, course of events. A `经历` is a type of personal `过程`.
• 故事 (gùshi) - Story. Your personal `经历` are the raw material for your life's `故事`.
• 历史 (lìshǐ) - History. `经历` is like your personal `历史`. They share the character `历`.
• 吃苦 (chīkǔ) - Literally “to eat bitterness.” The culturally valued concept of enduring hardship, which is a common type of `经历`.