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干脆 (gān cuì) — (adjective) direct and to the point; straightforward; (adverb) simply; just; might as well

Definition

干脆 is both an adjective (a direct, no-nonsense manner) and an adverb meaning 'just / might as well' — sharper and more decisive than 不妨. Pairs with verbs to commit to a choice.

adjective
direct and to the pointstraightforward
adverb
simplyjustmight as well

Examples

  • 干脆，。
    Tā shuō huà hěn gān cuì, cóng bù guǎi wān mò jiǎo.
    He speaks very directly and never beats around the bush.
  • ，干脆。
    Jì rán nǐ bù xǐ huan, gān cuì bié qù le.
    Since you don't like it, just don't go.
  • ，干脆。
    Fǎn zhèng yǒu shí jiān, gān cuì wǒ men yì qǐ chī fàn ba.
    We have time anyway, so we might as well eat together.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

干gāndry
脆cuìcrisp

Both 干 and 脆 describe something dry and crisp, giving a sense of direct, no-nonsense.

Characters in this word

The simplified 干 stands for more than one traditional character. In most words (饼干, 干杯) it is 乾; in others (干, 干活儿) (干扰) it is 幹 or 干.

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 乾; 干 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
乙乙yǐ
Sound part声符shēngfú
倝
倝gàn乾gān
Same sound today
Open 干 →

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
⺼Written in full as肉ròumeat
Sound part声符shēngfú
絕
絕jué脆cuì
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The left part ⺼, written as 肉, points to meat, and the right part 絕 gives the sound.

Open 脆 →

Grammar

Appears in
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