介 (jiè) — to be situated between; to interpose (bound form, as in 介入, 介绍); to take seriously; to mind (bound form, as in 介意); armor; shell (bound form, as in 介壳)
Definition
介 (jiè) is a bound morpheme that never stands alone. It means 'to be situated between' (as in 介入 'to intervene', 介绍 'to introduce') or 'to mind' (as in 介意); the 'armor' sense in 介壳 is archaic.
bound form
to be situated betweento interpose (bound form, as in 介入, 介绍)to take seriouslyto mind (bound form, as in 介意)armorshell (bound form, as in 介壳)
Easily confused
- 齐qílook-alike(adjective) neat, even, uniform
- 借jièsound-aliketo borrow
- 芥gàilook-alike(bound form) used in 芥蓝 (Chinese broccoli)
- 戒jièsound-aliketo quit, to give up (a habit or addiction)
- 界jièsound-alike(suffix) realm, world, sphere
- 届jièsound-alike(classifier) for periodic events (meetings, competitions, elections) and graduating classes
Examples
- 。Tā bù xǐ huan bié rén jiè rù tā de sī shì.He doesn't like others interfering in his private affairs.
- ？Nǐ jiè yì wǒ chōu yān ma?Do you mind if I smoke?
- 。Zhè zuò qiáo jiè yú liǎng zuò shān zhī jiān.This bridge is situated between two mountains.
Origin
Compound ideograph六书liùshū
会意huìyìTwo or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.
介 shows a central human form with two marks around it, indicating being between.
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