jìnkǒu: 进口 - To Import; Imports

• Keywords: jinkou, 进口, Chinese word for import, import to China, imported goods China, jinkou meaning, China import export, Chinese trade terms, HSK 4 vocabulary
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 进口 (jìnkǒu), which means 'to import' or 'imports'. This comprehensive guide explores its meaning, character breakdown, and practical usage in conversations about trade, shopping for imported goods in China, and understanding the country's global economic role. Discover how jìnkǒu is used in everyday sentences and how it contrasts with its opposite, 出口 (chūkǒu), 'to export', making it a crucial term for anyone interested in modern China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jìnkǒu
• Part of Speech: Verb / Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To bring goods or services into a country from abroad; an imported article or service.
• In a Nutshell: Jìnkǒu is a straightforward and logical term combining 'to enter' (进) and 'port' or 'mouth' (口). It literally means “to enter the port,” a perfect image for goods arriving in a country from overseas. Whether you're talking about French wine, German cars, or American movies, if it comes from another country into China, it's considered 进口 (jìnkǒu). It can be used as a verb (“to import”) or a noun (“an import”).

• 进 (jìn): This character means “to enter” or “to advance.” It's a combination of the 'walk' radical (辶) and a character representing a well (井). You can picture someone walking towards and entering a new space.
• 口 (kǒu): This character is a pictogram of a mouth. By extension, it means any kind of “opening,” including a doorway, an entrance, or, in this context, a “port.”
• Combined Meaning: Putting them together, 进口 (jìnkǒu) creates a vivid picture: goods “entering” (进) through a “port” or “opening” (口) into the country. It’s a very logical and descriptive word for the act of importing.

In recent decades, the term 进口 (jìnkǒu) has taken on significant cultural weight in China. As the economy opened up and the middle class grew, “进口” became a powerful buzzword associated with quality, safety, prestige, and modernity. While in the West, “imported” can be a neutral descriptor, in China, the label 进口 on products like baby formula, cosmetics, wine, and luxury cars often implies superiority to domestic alternatives. This stems from historical food safety scandals and a growing consumer desire for high-quality, globally recognized brands. Owning 进口 goods can be a way to display one's wealth, taste, and social status, tying into the cultural concept of face. The immense popularity of daigou (overseas personal shoppers) is a direct result of this high demand for authentic 进口 products.

进口 (jìnkǒu) is a common and versatile word used in many contexts.

• As a verb: It means “to import.” (e.g., “Our company imports coffee beans.”)
• As a noun: It means “an import” or “imports.” (e.g., “The value of our imports is rising.”)
• As an adjective (modifier): This is very common. Placed directly before a noun, it means “imported.” For example, 进口车 (jìnkǒu chē) is an “imported car” and 进口食品 (jìnkǒu shípǐn) is “imported food.” Note that you usually don't need to add the particle `的 (de)`.

You will see and hear this term constantly in news reports about the economy, in business negotiations, and especially while shopping in supermarkets or on e-commerce platforms like Taobao and JD.com.

• Example 1:
  • 我们公司每年从巴西进口大量咖啡豆。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī měi nián cóng Bāxī jìnkǒu dàliàng kāfēi dòu.
  • English: Our company imports a large quantity of coffee beans from Brazil every year.
  • Analysis: Here, 进口 is used as a verb, meaning “to import.” This is a typical business context.
• Example 2:
  • 这辆车是进口的还是国产的？
  • Pinyin: Zhè liàng chē shì jìnkǒu de háishì guóchǎn de?
  • English: Is this car imported or domestically produced?
  • Analysis: A very common question when shopping for big-ticket items. 进口 is contrasted with its opposite, guóchǎn (domestically produced).
• Example 3:
  • 我更喜欢进口啤酒的味道。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ gèng xǐhuān jìnkǒu píjiǔ de wèidào.
  • English: I prefer the taste of imported beer.
  • Analysis: 进口 acts as an adjective here, modifying “beer” (啤酒). This shows a personal preference often related to perceived quality.
• Example 4:
  • 今年我国的进口总额超过了预期。
  • Pinyin: Jīnnián wǒguó de jìnkǒu zǒng'é chāoguòle yùqī.
  • English: This year, our country's total value of imports exceeded expectations.
  • Analysis: In this sentence, 进口 functions as a noun, referring to the concept of “imports” in an economic context.
• Example 5:
  • 超市里有一个专门卖进口食品的区域。
  • Pinyin: Chāoshì lǐ yǒu yīgè zhuānmén mài jìnkǒu shípǐn de qūyù.
  • English: In the supermarket, there is a special section that sells imported food.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the adjectival use of 进口 again, modifying 食品 (shípǐn), “food products.” This is a very common sight in modern Chinese cities.
• Example 6:
  • 进口关税的调整会影响很多行业。
  • Pinyin: Jìnkǒu guānshuì de tiáozhěng huì yǐngxiǎng hěnduō hángyè.
  • English: The adjustment of import tariffs will affect many industries.
  • Analysis: 进口 modifies 关税 (guānshuì), “tariffs,” to specify them as “import tariffs.” This is a key term in international trade news.
• Example 7:
  • 这部电影是从好莱坞进口的。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng shì cóng Hǎoláiwù jìnkǒu de.
  • English: This movie was imported from Hollywood.
  • Analysis: 进口 can also apply to non-physical goods like intellectual property (movies, software, music).
• Example 8:
  • 他们的主要业务是进口和出口。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen de zhǔyào yèwù shì jìnkǒu hé chūkǒu.
  • English: Their main business is import and export.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows 进口 used alongside its direct antonym, chūkǒu (export), which is a very common pairing.
• Example 9:
  • 由于严格的检疫，进口水果的价格很高。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú yángé de jiǎnyì, jìnkǒu shuǐguǒ de jiàgé hěn gāo.
  • English: Due to strict quarantine, the price of imported fruit is very high.
  • Analysis: A practical sentence explaining a common phenomenon. 进口 modifies 水果 (shuǐguǒ), “fruit.”
• Example 10:
  • 她只用进口的化妆品，因为她觉得更安全。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhǐ yòng jìnkǒu de huàzhuāngpǐn, yīnwèi tā juédé gèng ānquán.
  • English: She only uses imported cosmetics because she feels they are safer.
  • Analysis: This sentence captures the cultural nuance of 进口 being associated with safety and quality, a major driver of consumer behavior in China.

• Mistake 1: Using 进口 for people or abstract ideas.
  • 进口 is used for goods and services (products, movies, software), but not typically for people or abstract concepts like culture or philosophy. You would not say you “imported” a foreign teacher (你进口了一位外教). Instead, you would say you “hired” one (你请了一位外教 - nǐ qǐngle yī wèi wàijiào).
• Mistake 2: Confusing 进口 (jìnkǒu) and 出口 (chūkǒu).
  • These are direct opposites. 进 (jìn) means “in” and 出 (chū) means “out.” Remember: 进口 = goods coming in; 出口 (chūkǒu) = goods going out (export).
  • Incorrect: `中国进口很多手机到美国。` (China imports many phones to America.)
  • Correct: `中国出口很多手机到美国。` (China exports many phones to America.)
  • Correct: `中国从美国进口很多大豆。` (China imports a lot of soybeans from America.)
• Grammar Point: Adjectival Usage without 的 (de).
  • While `进口的 (jìnkǒu de)` is grammatically correct, it's very common and natural to drop the `的 (de)` when 进口 modifies a noun, especially a two-character noun. For example, `进口车 (jìnkǒu chē)` is more common than `进口的车`. This pattern is efficient and widely used.

• 出口 (chūkǒu) - The direct antonym of 进口. It means “to export” or “exports.”
• 国产 (guóchǎn) - The consumer-context antonym. It means “domestically produced” or “made in-country.”
• 贸易 (màoyì) - The broader term for “trade” or “commerce,” encompassing both imports and exports.
• 外贸 (wàimào) - “Foreign trade.” A company that does 进口 and 出口 business is in the 外贸 industry.
• 海关 (hǎiguān) - “Customs.” The government agency responsible for inspecting all 进口 and 出口 goods.
• 关税 (guānshuì) - “Tariff.” The tax levied on 进口 goods.
• 水货 (shuǐhuò) - Literally “water goods.” It means “smuggled goods” or “grey-market imports,” which are brought into the country unofficially to avoid tariffs.
• 代购 (dàigòu) - “To purchase on someone's behalf.” A huge e-commerce phenomenon where an agent abroad buys 进口 goods for a customer in China.