Guónèi

Guónèi (国内) is a Chinese term meaning “inside the country” or “domestic.” It can function as an adjective, adverb, or noun and is used to distinguish things that pertain to a country’s internal affairs from those outside it (guówài, 国外/国外). In simplified Chinese, the term is 国内; in traditional Chinese, it is 國內. Its pronunciation in pinyin is guó nèi, with tones second and fourth.

The term is widely used in official, economic, and everyday contexts. Common compounds include 国内生产总值 (gross domestic product, GDP), 国内市场 (domestic market), 国内政策 (domestic policy), 国内旅游 (domestic tourism), and 国内法 (domestic law). It also appears in phrases such as 在国内 (within the country) and domestic versus international distinctions like 国内外 (domestic and foreign). The word helps contrast domestic matters with those related to foreign countries or international affairs.

Usage notes and related terms: 国内 emphasizes the geographic scope of a country’s borders rather than organizational structures. It is often preferred in formal or media contexts to discuss a country’s internal affairs, economy, or security. Related terms include 内部 (internal, within a system or organization) and 外部 (external), as well as 对内 (to internal/ domestic matters) and 对外 (to external/ foreign matters). The concept of guónèi is central to discussions of national policy, the economy, and governance.