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确切 (què qiè) — definite, exact, precise

Definition

确切 emphasizes a clear, definite meaning — used for answers, times, or facts that are exact and reliable. 准确 stresses factual correctness; 明确 stresses being explicit/clear-cut.

adjective
definiteexactprecise

Examples

  • 确切。
    Wǒ men xū yào yí gè què qiè de dá àn.
    We need a definite answer.
  • 确切。
    Tā de huí dá hěn què qiè.
    His reply is very precise.
  • 确切，。
    què qiè Dì shuō, tā míng tiān dào.
    To be exact, he will arrive tomorrow.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

确quètrue
切qièclose

确 means true or exact, and 切 adds the sense of close or appropriate; together they describe something precise.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 確; 确 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
石石shírock
Sound part声符shēngfú
隺
隺hè確què
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 確 combines 石, a rock, with 隺 for its sound; the idea is something rock-solid and certain. The simplified 确 is a shorthand.

Open 确 →

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 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 65000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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