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March 24, 2026
竭jié(jie2)
The character 竭 (jié) means to exhaust or to deplete something completely. It can refer to exhausting physical resources, energy, or efforts, and is often used in contexts involving hard work or the limits of one's abilities.
Strokes14Radical立Frequency#24874DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the idea of exerting oneself to the utmost is valued, especially in the context of work and study. The phrase '尽心尽力' (jìn xīn jìn lì) reflects this, meaning to devote one's heart and effort completely.
Memory Tip
Imagine a bucket (the character 竭 looks like a bucket with a lid) that you are trying to fill with water. If you keep pouring and pouring until the bucket is completely full, it eventually overflows, symbolizing that you have exhausted its capacity. The pronunciation 'jié' can be remembered as 'just empty it out' when the bucket is overfilled.
Meanings of 竭
jié(jie2)
1to exhaust
2to exhaust; to put forth great effort
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 竭
竭Simplified
14Strokes
立Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#24874Frequency Rank
Podcast: 竭
Podcast: 竭
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AI Study Notes for 竭
Quick Contrast
耗 (hào) — use 竭 (jié) when emphasizing complete depletion, while 耗 (hào) suggests consumption over time without necessarily reaching exhaustion.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a bucket (the character 竭 looks like a bucket with a lid) that you are trying to fill with water. If you keep pouring and pouring until the bucket is completely full, it eventually overflows, symbolizing that you have exhausted its capacity. The pronunciation 'jié' can be remembered as 'just empty it out' when the bucket is overfilled.
Usage Notes
Be cautious of using 竭 in formal writing, as it may come off as too dramatic. It often collocates with verbs like '努力' (nǔlì - to strive) and '尽力' (jìnlì - to try one's best), which emphasize effort. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar-sounding characters; ensure correct pronunciation.
HSK Study Tips
As 竭 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, focus on its components and similar characters to build your understanding. Students should pay attention to how 竭 can be used in compound words, reinforcing the concept of exhaustion in various contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the idea of exerting oneself to the utmost is valued, especially in the context of work and study. The phrase '尽心尽力' (jìn xīn jìn lì) reflects this, meaning to devote one's heart and effort completely.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 竭 with 结 (jié, to tie or knot). A wrong example would be using 竭 to mean 'to connect,' when the correct character should be 结. Always double-check the context to ensure you're using the correct word.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 竭
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Grammar Patterns of 竭
竭 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
拐过斜弯时他____力将自行车把稳。
He struggled to hold the bike down on the banked corners.
Example Sentences for 竭 (10)
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1
拐过斜弯时他竭力将自行车把稳。
guǎi guò xié wān shí tā jié lì jiāng zì háng chē bǎ wěn。
He struggled to hold the bike down on the banked corners.
2
他竭尽全力保住自己的工作。
tā jié jìn quán lì bǎo zhù zì jǐ de gōng zuò。
He fought tooth and nail to keep his job.
3
那次乘长途大巴遍游该国，你肯定累得精疲力竭。
nà cì chéng cháng tú dà bā biàn yóu gāi guó， ， nǐ kěn dìng léi dé jīng pí lì。
You must be tuckered out after that bus trip across the country.
The ship's crew were now exhausted and utterly demoralized.
9
她竭力想把眼前的一缕白发吹开。
tā jié lì xiǎng bǎ yǎn qián de yī lǚ bái fā chuī kāi。
She tried to blow a gray strand of hair from her eyes.
10
他声嘶力竭地大叫.
tā shēng sī lì jié dì dà jiào.
He suddenly cried out at the top of his voice.
Cultural Notes for 竭
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the idea of exerting oneself to the utmost is valued, especially in the context of work and study. The phrase '尽心尽力' (jìn xīn jìn lì) reflects this, meaning to devote one's heart and effort completely.
Word Family of 竭
Words Containing This Character20
衰竭shuāijiéorgan failure
竭尽全力jiéjìnquánlìto spare no effort (idiom); to do one's utmost竭盡全力
竭力jiélìto do one's utmost
竭尽to use up竭盡
竭jiéto exhaust
枯竭used up
精疲力竭jīngpílìjiédrained
心力衰竭heart failure
声嘶力竭to shout oneself hoarse (idiom)聲嘶力竭
竭诚wholeheartedly竭誠
殚精竭虑to rack one's brains殫精竭慮
尽心竭力to spare no effort (idiom); to do one's utmost盡心竭力
竭泽而渔lit. to drain the pond to get at the fish (idiom)竭澤而漁
血竭dragon's blood (bright red tree resin)
穷竭to exhaust窮竭
匮竭exhausted匱竭
殚竭to use up殫竭
罄竭used up
再衰三竭on one's last legs
穷竭法Archimedes' method of exhaustion (an early form of integral calculus)窮竭法
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 衰竭 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 竭
Common phrases include '竭尽全力' (jié jìn quán lì - to exert all one's strength) and '精疲力竭' (jīng pí lì jié - exhausted physically and mentally).
While it's not extremely common in casual conversation, it may appear in formal contexts or literary works.
The correct pronunciation is 'jié', with a rising tone.
