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切记 (qiè jì) — to be sure to remember, to keep in mind (as a warning or reminder)

Definition

切记 (qiè jì) is a warning-word meaning 'be sure to remember / keep in mind' — used to flag a rule the listener must not forget. More emphatic and admonitory than 牢记, more colloquial than the literary 铭记.

verb
to be sure to rememberto keep in mind (as a warning or reminder)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 切记。
    qiè jì Bú yào chí dào.
    Be sure not to be late.
  • 切记。
    Chū mén qián qiè jì dài yào shi.
    Be sure to bring your keys before going out.
  • 切记。
    Zhè jiàn shì qiè jì bǎo mì.
    Be sure to keep this matter confidential.

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.

切qièearnestly
记jìremember

切 adds earnestness to 记, meaning be sure to remember.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
刀刀dāoknife
Sound part声符shēngfú
七
七qī切qiè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 切, the 刀 (knife) part is joined to 七, which gives the sound.

Open 切 →

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 記; 记 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánspeech; words
Sound part声符shēngfú
己
己jǐ記jì
Same sound today

The traditional form 記 pairs 言 (speech; words) with 己 as a sound part; the simplified 记 is a later shorthand, so its right side is not the historical component.

Open 记 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Thinking & Cognition

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