中肯 (zhòng kěn) — pertinent; to the point; apropos

Definition

中肯 describes words, opinions, or criticism that hit the mark — relevant, apt, and well-targeted. Used in formal/written contexts, often for analysis or critique that names the real issue.

adjective
pertinentto the pointapropos

Examples

  • 中肯。
    Tā de yì jiàn hěn zhòng kěn.
    His opinion is very pertinent.
  • 中肯，。
    Zhè ge pī píng fēi cháng zhòng kěn, diǎn chū le wèn tí suǒ zài.
    This criticism is very to the point; it pinpoints the problem.
  • 中肯，。
    Nǐ de fēn xī hěn zhòng kěn, wǒ wán quán tóng yì.
    Your analysis is very apropos; I completely agree.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

中zhōnghit
肯kěnvital point

中 means to hit, and 肯 names the vital point between bone and tendon; the image is hitting the essential spot.

Characters in this word

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

The original picture showed a flagpole with a drum in the middle, set up in the center of a field.

Open 中 →

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

肯 is described as showing 冎 (bone) and 肉 (meat), meaning meat attached to the bone.

Open 肯 →

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