‘国戚’ (guó qī) literally combines ‘国’ (guó), meaning ‘state’ or ‘empire’, and ‘戚’ (qī), meaning ‘relatives by marriage’ or ‘close kin’. Together, it refers specifically to the in-laws of the emperor — that is, the parents, siblings, or other blood relatives of the emperor’s consorts, empresses, or concubines. Historically, this term carried great political weight: imperial in-laws often held high-ranking titles, controlled military posts, or influenced court decisions, sometimes leading to factional struggles or dynastic instability.

The word is exclusively historical and formal, used almost entirely in academic, literary, or historical contexts — never in modern daily speech. It implies proximity to imperial power and carries connotations of privilege, influence, and potential corruption. Unlike general terms for ‘relatives’ (e.g., 亲戚), 国戚 specifies a narrowly defined, elite social group tied directly to the imperial household through marriage alliances.