求解 (qiú jiě) — to solve (a mathematical problem); to seek help or an answer (in a general sense)

Definition

Literally 'seek the solution' — used both for solving math problems and for asking for help online. The second sense is common on forums and social media, where 求…解 is a fixed pattern meaning 'please explain'.

verb
to solve (a mathematical problem)to seek help or an answer (in a general sense)

Examples

  • ，求解。
    Zhè dào shù xué tí hěn fù zá, wǒ xū yāo qiú jiě.
    This math problem is very complicated; I need to solve it.
  • ，。
    Wǒ zài lùn tán shàng qiú le bàn tiān jiě, zhōng yú yǒu rén huí fù le.
    I spent a long time asking for help on the forum, and finally someone replied.
  • 。
    Lǎo shī ràng wǒ men qiú zhè ge fāng chéng de jiě.
    The teacher asked us to find the solution to this equation.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

求qiúseek
解jiěsolution

求 is to seek and 解 is a solution; together to seek a solution.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

求 began as a drawing of a centipede.

Open 求 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

解 shows 刀 (knife) separating 角 (horn) from 牛 (cow), giving the picture of cutting up an ox.

Open 解 →

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