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体贴 (tǐ tiē) — to be considerate of, to show thoughtful care for (someone's feelings or needs)

Definition

体贴 is a verb for actively sensing and catering to someone's feelings or needs. It is more personal and action-oriented than 周到 (which describes a plan or service as thorough) and warmer than 顾及 (which means simply taking something into account).

verb
to be considerate ofto show thoughtful care for (someone's feelings or needs)

Examples

  • 体贴。
    Tā zǒng shì hěn tǐ tiē qī zi de gǎn shòu.
    He is always very considerate of his wife's feelings.
  • ，体贴。
    Zuò wéi lǐng dǎo, nǐ yīng gāi tǐ tiē xià shǔ de kùn nan.
    As a leader, you should be considerate of the difficulties of your subordinates.
  • 体贴，。
    Tā tè bié tǐ tiē lǎo rén, zǒng shì zhǔ dòng bāng máng.
    She is especially considerate of the elderly, always offering help.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

体tǐunderstand
贴tiēclose

体 means to understand, 贴 means to be close; together they express thoughtful care for someone.

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 體; 体 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
骨骨gǔbone
Sound part声符shēngfú
豊
豊lǐ體tǐ
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 體 pairs 骨 (bone) with 豊 as a sound part; this note is about 體, not about the parts of 体.

Open 体 →

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 貼; 贴 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
貝貝bèishell
Sound part声符shēngfú
占
占zhàn貼tiē
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 貼 pairs 貝, a shell, with 占 as a sound part; the simplified 贴 is a later shorthand.

Open 贴 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 5Personality & Traits

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