(jié) — (verb) to cut off; to intercept; to stop; (classifier) for sections, chunks, or lengths (e.g., of wood, pipe, etc.)

Definition

As a verb, 截 means to cut off or stop something in progress (a signal, a supply, someone's words), sharper than 割 ('to cut' with a blade). As a classifier, it measures a cut section of something long (a pipe, a log), unlike 块 for general chunks.

verb
to cut offto interceptto stop
classifier
for sectionschunksor lengths (e.g., of wood, pipe, etc.)

Examples

  • Tā bǎ shéng zi jié chéng liǎng duàn.
    He cut the rope into two sections.
  • Nà yì jié mù tou hěn zhòng.
    That section of wood is very heavy.
  • Tā de huà bèi jié duàn le.
    His words were cut off.

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
Sound part声符shēngfú
quèjié
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

截 combines 戈 and 雀, with 雀 supplying the sound.

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