Meanings of 絕
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About 絕
Podcast: 絕
Podcast: 絕
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AI Study Notes for 絕
斷 (duàn) vs 絕 (jué): use 絕 for a stronger sense of finality or total severance, while 斷 implies a break but may allow for the possibility of reconnection.
Be cautious about using 絕 in overly formal contexts as it might come off as too strong or dramatic. Common mistakes include confusing it with 绝 (jué), which is the simplified form, and using it inappropriately in casual conversation. Example collocations include 絕望 (juéwàng, despair) and 絕對 (juéduì, absolute).
While 絕 is not part of the HSK list, it connects well with other HSK words related to endings or extremes, like 結束 (jiéshù, to end) or 完全 (wánquán, completely). Focus on practicing its use in phrases where finality is expressed.
Learners often confuse 絕 with its simplified form 绝 and might mistakenly use it in informal contexts where a softer term would be more appropriate. For example, saying 絕交 in a casual setting could seem overly harsh, while using something like 分手 (fēnshǒu) for break-up is more common.
Pronunciation of 絕
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Etymology of 絕
Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 色 represents the sound. Simplified form of 絕.
To cut 刀 thread 糹; 巴 provides the pronunciation
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 絕
Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 色 represents the sound. Simplified form of 絕.
- 1The giveawayTo cut 刀 thread 糹; 巴 provides the pronunciation
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 絕? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 絕
Identify the Components
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How to say to cut, to sever; to break off, to terminate in Chinese
“to cut, to sever; to break off, to terminate” in Chinese is絕
The character 絕 (jué) means to cut or to sever, often used in contexts of breaking off relationships or terminating something. It can denote a complete end, suggesting a strong finality, such as in the phrase 絕交 (juéjiāo), meaning to sever ties with someone.
When to use 絕
Be cautious about using 絕 in overly formal contexts as it might come off as too strong or dramatic. Common mistakes include confusing it with 绝 (jué), which is the simplified form, and using it inappropriately in casual conversation. Example collocations include 絕望 (juéwàng, despair) and 絕對 (juéduì, absolute).
絕 or something close to it
斷 (duàn) vs 絕 (jué): use 絕 for a stronger sense of finality or total severance, while 斷 implies a break but may allow for the possibility of reconnection.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 絕 with its simplified form 绝 and might mistakenly use it in informal contexts where a softer term would be more appropriate. For example, saying 絕交 in a casual setting could seem overly harsh, while using something like 分手 (fēnshǒu) for break-up is more common.
Write 絕
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Practice writing 絕 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 絕
Compound Meaning
What does 绝对 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 絕
You can use 絕 in phrases like 絕交 (juéjiāo) meaning to cut off friendships.
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