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结果 (jié guǒ) — (noun) result, outcome; (conjunction) as a result, in the end

Definition

结果 is the everyday word for 'result/outcome' (noun) and also a conjunction meaning 'in the end / as a result'. For a formal written 'conclusion' use 结论; 后果 is reserved for negative consequences.

noun
resultoutcome
conjunction
as a resultin the end
Measure word · 个
Easily confused

Examples

  • 结果。
    Kǎo shì de jié guǒ ràng wǒ hěn mǎn yì.
    The exam result made me very satisfied.
  • ，结果。
    Tā nǔ lì le hěn jiǔ, jié guǒ hái shì shī bài le.
    He worked hard for a long time, but in the end he still failed.
  • ，结果。
    Zhè ge wèn tí wǒ men tǎo lùn le sān cì, jié guǒ méi yǒu jiě jué.
    We discussed this problem three times, but as a result it wasn't solved.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

结jiéto bear/produce
果guǒfruit/result

结 means 'to bear/produce' and 果 means 'fruit'; together they picture bearing fruit, hence an outcome.

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 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 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

果 originally drew fruits hanging on a tree.

Open 果 →

Grammar

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 4HSK 2.0 Level 41000 Most Frequent Chinese WordsCause, Effect & Logic2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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