合着 (hé zhù) — (dialectal) so, it turns out that... (used to express sudden realization)

Definition

A colloquial sentence adverb meaning 'so, it turns out' — used when the speaker suddenly realizes or confirms something, often with a hint of surprise or mild complaint. Pairs naturally with 怪不得 ('no wonder').

(dialectal) soit turns out that... (used to express sudden realization)

Examples

  • 合着？。
    hé zhù Nǐ méi chī fàn a? wǒ hái yǐ wéi nǐ chī guò le.
    So you haven't eaten? I thought you had.
  • 合着，？
    hé zhù Nǐ zǎo zhī dào le, wèi shén me bú gào sù wǒ?
    So you already knew? Why didn't you tell me?
  • 合着，。
    hé zhù Tā shì xīn lái de jīng lǐ, guài bu de zhè me yán sù.
    So he's the new manager—no wonder he's so serious.

Origin

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

合 shows 亼 and 口 arranged as two mouths speaking together.

Open 合 →

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 著; 着 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
艸艸cǎograss; plant
Sound part声符shēngfú
者
者zhě著zháo
Same sound today

The traditional form 著 puts 艸 (grass; plant) above 者, which gives the sound; the simplified 着 is a later shorthand.

Open 着 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.