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干脆 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
干脆gāncuìstraightforwardHSK 6, d, 13 strokes, rank #3559, Hard
干脆gāncuìclear-cutHSK 6, d, 13 strokes, rank #3559, Hard
干脆gāncuìblunt (e.g. statement)HSK 6, d, 13 strokes, rank #3559, Hard
干脆gāncuìyou might as wellHSK 6, d, 13 strokes, rank #3559, Hard
干脆gāncuìsimplyHSK 6, d, 13 strokes, rank #3559, Hard
gāncuì(gan1cui4)gan cui T1
  1. 1straightforward
  2. 2clear-cut
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March 24, 2026

干脆(乾脆)gāncuì(gan1cui4)

The term 干脆 (gān cuì) means straightforward, clear-cut, or blunt. It is often used to describe a situation or statement that is direct and unambiguous, indicating that something is done simply or without hesitation. This can apply in both positive contexts, such as decisiveness, and negative ones, such as rudeness.

Strokes13Frequency#3559DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, being 干脆 can be appreciated in business negotiations, where clear and direct communication is valued. However, being too blunt may also be perceived as lacking politeness, reflecting the balance between honesty and face-saving in social interactions.

Memory Tip

Imagine a clear, straight road (干) that cuts through the dense fog (脆), making your journey easy and direct. The straightforward path reminds you of the clarity and decisiveness found in a 干脆 statement.

Meanings of 干脆

gāncuì(gan1cui4)
1straightforward
2clear-cut
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 干脆

干脆Simplified
乾脆Traditional
13Strokes
—Radical
副形词xíngróngcíadj-adverb (adj.-adv.)Part of Speech
#3559Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 干脆

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Podcast: 干脆

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AI Study Notes for 干脆

Quick Contrast

直接 (zhíjiē) - use 干脆 when emphasizing bluntness or simplicity, while 直接 focuses more on directness without the nuance of bluntness.

Usage Notes

干脆 is generally used in informal contexts to express decisiveness or bluntness. Be cautious as it may come off as too direct in more formal settings. Common collocations include 干脆利落 (gān cuì lì luò), meaning 'decisively and neatly.'

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 5 word, 干脆 connects well with other vocabulary expressing opinions or actions. Focus on its usage in different contexts and how it contrasts with more nuanced expressions of agreement or disagreement.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 干脆 with 直接 (zhí jiē), which also means 'direct.' However, 干脆 carries a nuance of simplicity and decisiveness that 直接 does not. For example, saying '他很直接' (Tā hěn zhí jiē) may imply honesty, but '他很干脆' (Tā hěn gān cuì) suggests a clear, no-nonsense approach.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 干脆

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Component Characters

干gāndry
HSK 33 strokes十
View full entry
脆cuìfragile, frail; brittle, crisp
HSK 610 strokes⺼
View full entry

How to say straightforward in Chinese

“straightforward” in Chinese is干脆gāncuì

The term 干脆 (gān cuì) means straightforward, clear-cut, or blunt. It is often used to describe a situation or statement that is direct and unambiguous, indicating that something is done simply or without hesitation. This can apply in both positive contexts, such as decisiveness, and negative ones, such as rudeness.

When to use 干脆

干脆 is generally used in informal contexts to express decisiveness or bluntness. Be cautious as it may come off as too direct in more formal settings. Common collocations include 干脆利落 (gān cuì lì luò), meaning 'decisively and neatly.'

干脆 or something close to it

直接 (zhíjiē) - use 干脆 when emphasizing bluntness or simplicity, while 直接 focuses more on directness without the nuance of bluntness.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 干脆 with 直接 (zhí jiē), which also means 'direct.' However, 干脆 carries a nuance of simplicity and decisiveness that 直接 does not. For example, saying '他很直接' (Tā hěn zhí jiē) may imply honesty, but '他很干脆' (Tā hěn gān cuì) suggests a clear, no-nonsense approach.

Write 干脆

干
脆

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Grammar Patterns of 干脆

干脆 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 5 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.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

我____利落地击球，命中了目标。

I struck the ball cleanly and my shot was on target.

Example Sentences for 干脆 (9)

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1
我干脆利落地击球，命中了目标。

wǒ gān cuì lì luò dì jī qiú， ， mìng zhōng le mù。

I struck the ball cleanly and my shot was on target.
2
“很好，”我用干脆的命令性的语气说道。

“ “ hěn，” hǎo ，” wǒ yòng gān cuì de mìng líng xìng de yǔ qì。

"Very well," I said, adopting a crisp authoritative tone.
3
他们会指责我，或者更糟糕的是，干脆对我毫不理睬。

tā mén huì zhǐ zé wǒ， ， huò zhě gēng zāo gāo de， shì ， gān cuì duì wǒ háo bù。

They would criticize me, or worse yet, pay me no attention.
4
你干脆去教堂忏悔自己的罪过吧。

nǐ gān cuì qù jiào táng chàn huǐ zì jǐ de zuì guò bā。

You just go to the church and confess your sins.
5
我干脆静下心来继续玩。

wǒ gān cuì jìng xià xīn lái jì xù wán。

I just buckled down and got on with playing.
6
女舍监人很善良，但做事干脆利落、风风火火。

nǚ shě jiān rén hěn shàn liáng， ， dàn zuò shì gān cuì lì、 luò 、 fēng fēng。

Matron was quite kind but brisk and hurried.
7
掌权的，在这件事中即独立的电视协会，干脆禁播了那则电视广告。

zhǎng quán de， ， zài zhè jiàn shì zhōng jí dú lì de diàn shì xié， huì ， gān cuì jīn bō le nà zé diàn shì。

The powers that be, in this case the independent Television Association, banned the advertisement altogether.
8
嗯，我想，反正我的工作已经丢了一半了，干脆一不做二不休，走人算了。

ňg， ， wǒ， xiǎng ， fǎn zhèng wǒ de gōng zuò yǐ jīng diū le yī， bàn le ， gān cuì yī bù zuò， èr bù xiū ，。

Well, I thought, I've already lost half my job, I might as well go the whole hog and lose it completely.
9
他为何不干脆把墙推倒？

tā wéi hé bù gān cuì bǎ qiáng tuī dǎo？

Why doesn't he just knock the wall down?

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Frequently Asked Questions about 干脆

Yes, you can describe someone as 干脆 if they are known for being straightforward or blunt in their communication.

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