死死的 (sǐ sǐ de) — (adverb) tightly, firmly, fixedly; with great force or determination

Definition

Adverbial phrase meaning 'tightly, firmly, fixedly' — emphasizes force or determination in how an action is done. Always reduplicated as 死死地 before a verb.

adverb
tightlyfirmlyfixedlywith great force or determination
Easily confused

Examples

  • 死死的。
    Tā sǐ sǐ de dì zhuā zhù shéng zi bú fàng.
    He held the rope tightly and wouldn't let go.
  • 死死的。
    Tā sǐ sǐ de dì dīng zhe nà ge mò shēng rén.
    She stared fixedly at that stranger.
  • 死死的。
    Nǐ yào sǐ sǐ de jì zhù zhè ge jiào xùn.
    You must remember this lesson firmly.

Origin

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
歹歹dǎi
Sound part声符shēngfú
尸
尸shī死sǐ
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

死 is built from 歹 and 尸: 歹 is the part tied to the meaning, and 尸 gives the sound.

Open 死 →

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
歹歹dǎi
Sound part声符shēngfú
尸
尸shī死sǐ
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

死 is built from 歹 and 尸: 歹 is the part tied to the meaning, and 尸 gives the sound.

Open 死 →

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
白白báiwhite
Sound part声符shēngfú
勺
勺sháo的de
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

的 pairs 白, related to white or brightness, with 勺, which gives a clue to the sound. Its older form 旳 meant bright.

Open 的 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.