题解 (tí jiě) — explanatory notes on the title or background of a book; key to exercises or problems

Definition

题 (tí) means 'problem/title' and 解 (jiě) means 'explanation/solution', so 题解 covers both notes explaining a book's title or background and answer keys to exercises.

noun
explanatory notes on the title or background of a bookkey to exercises or problems
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 题解，。
    Zhè běn shū de tí jiě xiě dé fēi cháng xiáng xì, bāng zhù dú zhě lǐ jiě lì shǐ bèi jǐng.
    The explanatory notes on the title of this book are very detailed, helping readers understand the historical background.
  • 题解。
    Lǎo shī bǎ liàn xí tí de tí jiě fā gěi le wǒ men.
    The teacher gave us the answer key for the exercises.
  • 题解。
    Yuè dú tí jiě kě yǐ jiā shēn duì wén zhāng de lǐ jiě.
    Reading the explanatory notes can deepen understanding of the text.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

题títitle/problem
解jiěexplanation/solution

题 names the title or problem and 解 means explanation or solution, so the term gives explanatory notes.

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.

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 →

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 →

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