截然 (jié rán) — sharply, completely (used to emphasize a clear…

Definition

Adverb that sharpens a contrast: pair it with 不同 or 相反 to mean 'completely/starkly different'. Stronger than 只是…不一样; more emphatic than 完全.

adverb

sharplycompletely (used to emphasize a clear distinction or contrast)

Easily confused

。
Tā men de guān diǎn jié rán bù tóng.
Their views are completely different.
截然。
Zhè liǎng zhǒng wén huà jié rán xiāng fǎn.
These two cultures are diametrically opposite.
。
Tā de tài dù hé yǐ qián jié rán bù tóng.
His attitude is completely different from before.

Derived word

构词法gòucífǎ

后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

“截” (cut) and “然” (manner) combine to mean sharply, as if cut apart.

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

Sound part声符shēngfú

雀

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.

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

肰

肰rán然rán

Same sound today

然 is made from 肰, which gives the sound, and 火, which shows fire, matching the old sense 'to burn'.