切题 (qiè tí) — (verb) to keep to the point, to be relevant (of speech or writing)

Definition

Refers to whether a piece of writing or speech stays on topic. Typically used to evaluate content — as in the 切 question 'is this relevant?' rather than 离题 ('off-topic') or 跑题 ('wandering off').

verb
to keep to the pointto be relevant (of speech or writing)

Examples

  • 切题。
    Nǐ shuō de zhè jù huà yì diǎn yě bú qiè tí.
    That sentence you said is not at all relevant to the topic.
  • 切题，。
    Tā de fā yán qiè bú qiè tí, dà jiā yì tīng jiù zhī dào.
    Everyone can tell at once whether his remarks are on topic or not.
  • 切题，。
    Zhè piān wén zhāng xiě dé hěn qiè tí, suǒ yǒu guān diǎn dōu wéi rào zhǔ tí zhǎn kāi.
    This essay is very relevant; all the points revolve around the theme.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

切qièfit
题títopic

切 (fit) and 题 (topic) together mean fitting the topic, hence relevant.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
刀刀dāoknife
Sound part声符shēngfú
七
七qī切qiè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 切, the 刀 (knife) part is joined to 七, which gives the sound.

Open 切 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 題; 题 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
頁頁yèhead
Sound part声符shēngfú
是
是shì題tí
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

For 题, the traditional form 題 uses 是 for sound and 頁 for head, and means 'forehead'.

Open 题 →

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