可气 (kě qì) — annoying, exasperating

Definition

"可气" means something is so bad or rude it makes you angry — stronger than just "annoying," it implies real indignation. Often used to react to a person or their behavior.

adjective
annoyingexasperating

Examples

  • 可气！
    Zhè jiàn shì zhēn kě qì!
    This matter is really annoying!
  • 可气。
    Tā shuō de huà tài kě qì le.
    What he said is too exasperating.
  • 可气。
    Bié zuò nà me kě qì de shì.
    Don't do such annoying things.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
前缀qiánzhuìPrefix

A fixed syllable in front that adds a shade of meaning but carries none of its own.

可kěworthy of
气qìanger

可 contributes 'worthy of' and 气 is 'anger', giving the sense 'worthy of anger', i.e. annoying.

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
口口kǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
丂
丂kǎo可kě
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

可 pairs 口 (mouth) with 丂 as a sound part; it is tied to air from the mouth, perhaps singing.

Open 可 →

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 氣; 气 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
米米mǐrice
Sound part声符shēngfú
气
气qì氣qì
Same sound today

The traditional form 氣 pairs 米 (rice) with 气, which supplies the sound; the simplified 气 is a later abbreviation.

Open 气 →

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