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了结 (liǎo jié) — to settle, to conclude, to bring to an end (a matter, dispute, case)

Definition

A formal verb for bringing a matter to a final close — a dispute, case, or affair. Stronger than 结束 ('to finish/end' generally) and more final than 结尾 (often the narrative ending of a story).

verb
to settleto concludeto bring to an end (a matter, dispute, case)

Examples

  • 了结。
    Zhè ge àn jiàn zhōng yú liǎo jié le.
    This case has finally been settled.
  • 了结。
    Tā men liǎo jié le zhè zhuāng shēng yì.
    They concluded this business deal.
  • 了结。
    Wǒ xī wàng zhè jiàn shì néng jǐn kuài liǎo jié.
    I hope this matter can be concluded as soon as possible.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

了liǎofinish
结jiéconclude

Both 了 and 结 carry the sense of finishing or closing something, so together they mean to settle or bring a matter to an end.

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 結; 结 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
吉
吉jí結jié
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 結 pairs 糸 with 吉; 吉 gives the sound, and 糸 relates to the meaning. The simplified 结 is a later shorthand.

Open 结 →
Appears in
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