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March 24, 2026
激烈jīliè(ji1lie4)
The term '激烈' (jī liè) describes something that is intense, fierce, or acute, often used to characterize competition, emotions, or debates. It conveys a sense of strong energy and urgency, making it suitable for contexts involving conflict or passionate discussions.
Strokes26Frequency#3776DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the term '激烈' is often used in the context of traditional sports like dragon boat racing, where intense competition is celebrated and encouraged.
Memory Tip
Imagine a fierce dragon (激) breathing fire (烈) in a heated battle. The character 激 looks like a dragon's tail, symbolizing intensity, while 烈 resembles flames, reinforcing the idea of fierceness.
Meanings of 激烈
jīliè(ji1lie4)
1intense
2acute
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 激烈
激烈Simplified
26Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#3776Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 激烈
Podcast: 激烈
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AI Study Notes for 激烈
Quick Contrast
激烈 (intense) vs 猛烈 (fierce) — choose 激烈 when emphasizing emotional intensity or urgency, while 猛烈 often refers to physical force or strength.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include misusing 激烈 in contexts that require a more neutral term; for example, saying '激烈的天气' (intense weather) instead of '恶劣的天气' (severe weather). It's typically used in more formal contexts, such as news reports or academic discussions.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, '激烈' connects to other descriptive adjectives like '强烈' (strong) and '剧烈' (violent). Students should focus on using it in phrases related to competition or emotions to understand its context better.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 激烈 with '温和' (wēn hé), which means gentle or mild. For instance, saying '激烈的音乐' (intense music) instead of '激动人心的音乐' (exciting music) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 激烈
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The term '激烈' (jī liè) describes something that is intense, fierce, or acute, often used to characterize competition, emotions, or debates. It conveys a sense of strong energy and urgency, making it suitable for contexts involving conflict or passionate discussions.
When to use 激烈
Common mistakes include misusing 激烈 in contexts that require a more neutral term; for example, saying '激烈的天气' (intense weather) instead of '恶劣的天气' (severe weather). It's typically used in more formal contexts, such as news reports or academic discussions.
激烈 or something close to it
激烈 (intense) vs 猛烈 (fierce) — choose 激烈 when emphasizing emotional intensity or urgency, while 猛烈 often refers to physical force or strength.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 激烈 with '温和' (wēn hé), which means gentle or mild. For instance, saying '激烈的音乐' (intense music) instead of '激动人心的音乐' (exciting music) is incorrect.
Write 激烈
激
烈
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Grammar Patterns of 激烈
激烈 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 3 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
言辞____的右翼领袖在会后收敛了他的好战言论。
The fiery right-wing leader toned down his militant statements after the meeting.
Example Sentences for 激烈 (10)
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1
言辞激烈的右翼领袖在会后收敛了他的好战言论。
yán cí jī liè de yòu yì lǐng xiù zài huì hòu shōu liǎn le tā de hǎo zhàn yán lùn。
The fiery right-wing leader toned down his militant statements after the meeting.
2
塞尔维亚人和克罗地亚人之间的争斗由来已久，而且非常激烈。
sāi ěr wéi yà rén hé kè luó dì yà rén zhī jiān de zhēng dǒu yóu lái yǐ jiǔ， ， ér qiě fēi cháng jī。
The quarrel between the Serbs and the Croats is old and bitter.
