最佳 (zuì jiā) — best, optimum, optimal (used attributively) | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

最佳 is an adjective meaning 'best, optimum' — typically used attributively before a noun (最佳方法, 最佳选择), unlike 最好 which is an adverb meaning 'it is best to (do something)'.

adjective

bestoptimumoptimal (used attributively)

Examples

最佳。
Zhè shì jiě jué wèn tí de yì zhǒng zuì jiā fāng fǎ.
This is one of the best ways to solve the problem.
最佳。
Tā huò dé le zuì jiā yǎn yuán jiǎng.
She won the best actress award.
最佳。
Zhè ge fāng àn bú shì zuì jiā xuǎn zé.
This plan is not the best choice.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

最 means most and 佳 means good, so the word points to the best.

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

宀宀miánroof

Sound part声符shēngfú

取

取qǔ最zuì

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

The shape pairs 取, which gives the sound, with a roof-like top from 宀; marks above were later added to separate the “most” meaning.

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

人人rénman; person

Sound part声符shēngfú

圭

圭guī佳jiā

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

佳 combines 人 (person) with 圭, which is used for the sound guī.

Appears in

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