真切 (zhēn qiè) — vivid, clear, distinct (of descriptions, images, memories); sincere, genuine (of feelings, attitudes, words)

Definition

真切 means both 'vivid and clear' (images, memories) and 'sincere, heartfelt' (words, feelings). Most often used as a predicate complement after 得 (描绘得真切; 情意真切).

verb
vividcleardistinct (of descriptions, images, memories)sinceregenuine (of feelings, attitudes, words)

Examples

  • 真切。
    Nà fú huà bǎ jiāng nán de chūn tiān miáo huì dé shí fēn zhēn qiè.
    That painting depicts the spring in Jiangnan very vividly.
  • 真切,。
    Tā de yì fān huà qíng yì zhēn qiè, ràng zài chǎng de rén dōu hěn gǎn dòng.
    Her words were so sincere and heartfelt that everyone present was moved.
  • ,真切。
    Duō nián yǐ hòu, wǒ duì nà cì lǚ xíng de jì yì yī rán zhēn qiè.
    Years later, my memory of that trip is still clear and distinct.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

切qièearnest

真 (true) and 切 (earnest) together suggest something vivid, clear, or sincerely felt.

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
貝貝bèicowrie; shell
Sound part声符shēngfú
𠂈
𠂈𠂈真zhēn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

真 pairs 貝 (cowrie shell, used for the meaning) with 𠂈, which gave the sound and originally drew a headlong fall.

Open 真 →

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
刀刀dāoknife
Sound part声符shēngfú
七
七qī切qiè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 切, the 刀 (knife) part is joined to 七, which gives the sound.

Open 切 →

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