恰 (qià) — just; exactly; appropriately; properly

Definition

Adverb meaning 'just, exactly' — usually paired with 好 (恰好 'just happens to / exactly') to stress fortunate timing or a precise match. The 'appropriately' sense is the same idea: something fits exactly right.

adverb
justexactlyappropriatelyproperly
Easily confused

Examples

  • 。
    Zhè ge shí jiān qià hǎo hé shì.
    This time is just right.
  • 。
    Tā qià hǎo huí dá le wèn tí.
    He just answered the question.
  • 。
    Wǒ qià hǎo jīng guò nà lǐ.
    I happened to pass by there (just then).

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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
忄Written in full as心xīn
Sound part声符shēngfú
合
合hé恰qià
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

恰 has 忄 (a form of 心) on the left and 合 on the right, which is used for its sound.

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