死结 (sǐ jié) — (noun) a tight knot that cannot be untied; dead knot; (noun) insoluble problem; deadlock; (noun) deep-seated grudge; long-standing enmity

Definition

Literally 'dead knot' — a knot so tight it cannot be untied. Figuratively used for a problem or grudge that seems unsolvable and resists any attempt to break it apart.

noun
a tight knot that cannot be untieddead knotinsoluble problemdeadlockdeep-seated grudgelong-standing enmity
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 死结。
    Zhè ge shéng zi shàng de sǐ jié zěn me yě jiě bù kāi.
    This knot on the rope just can't be untied.
  • 死结，。
    Liǎng guó de tán pàn xiàn rù le sǐ jié, duǎn qī nèi hěn nán jiě jué.
    The negotiations between the two countries have reached a deadlock and will be difficult to resolve in the short term.
  • 死结，。
    Tā men zhī jiān de sǐ jié yǐ jīng cún zài duō nián le, shuí dōu bú yuàn yì xiān ràng bù.
    The grudge between them has existed for many years, and neither is willing to give in first.

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.

死sǐdead
结jiéknot

死, dead or fast, describes a 结, knot, that cannot be untied.

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
歹歹dǎi
Sound part声符shēngfú
尸
尸shī死sǐ
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

死 is built from 歹 and 尸: 歹 is the part tied to the meaning, and 尸 gives the sound.

Open 死 →

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 結; 结 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
吉
吉jí結jié
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 結 pairs 糸 with 吉; 吉 gives the sound, and 糸 relates to the meaning. The simplified 结 is a later shorthand.

Open 结 →

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