外交

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 外交 is read as がいこう and is a noun for diplomacy, the conduct and management of relations between countries.
• Basic usage: Specify interstate relations with 外交関係 and an academic subject with 外交の歴史.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Activity and relationship
  • 外交 alone names diplomacy broadly, while 外交関係 identifies the relations formed between countries.
• Verbs used with it
  • Relations can be deepened with 深める, whereas the history of diplomacy becomes the object of 研究する.