了却 (liǎo què) — settle (a matter); fulfill (a wish, desire)

Definition

A formal, written verb meaning to settle a matter or fulfill a wish/heartfelt concern. Emphasizes putting a lingering worry or desire to rest, not the everyday 'solve' sense of 解决.

verb
settle (a matter)fulfill (a wish, desire)

Examples

  • 了却。
    Tā zhōng yú liǎo què le zhè zhuāng xīn shì.
    He finally settled this worry.
  • 了却。
    Tā zuì dà de xīn yuàn zhōng yú liǎo què le.
    His biggest wish was finally fulfilled.
  • 了却。
    Zhè jiàn shì jiù jiāo gěi nǐ liǎo què ba.
    I'll leave this matter for you to settle.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

了liǎofinish/settle
却quèremove/away

The 了 part means finish and the 却 part means remove, together meaning to settle or complete.

Characters in this word

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

了 was once drawn to show a baby with no arms; some old comments say it showed crossed or tangled legs.

Open 了 →

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 卻; 却 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
卩卩jié
Sound part声符shēngfú
𧮫
𧮫𧮫卻què
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 卻 uses 𧮫 for sound and 卩 for meaning; the simplified 却 is a shorthand.

Open 却 →

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