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解开 (jiě kāi) — to untie, to undo (a knot, button, rope, etc.); to solve (a riddle, mystery); to dispel, to remove (doubts, worries)

Definition

解开 (jiě kāi) is a separable verb meaning to undo or resolve something physically tied or mentally puzzling — literally 'loosen-open'. It pairs with concrete objects (knots, ropes, buttons) as well as abstract ones (mysteries, doubts).

verb
to untieto undo (a knot, button, rope, etc.)to solve (a riddle, mystery)to dispelto remove (doubts, worries)

Examples

  • 解开。
    Qǐng bāng wǒ jiě kāi zhè ge shéng jié.
    Please help me untie this knot.
  • 解开。
    Tā zhōng yú jiě kāi le zhè ge fù zá de mí tí.
    He finally solved this complicated riddle.
  • 解开。
    Lǎo shī de yì fān huà jiě kāi le wǒ men xīn zhōng de yí huò.
    The teacher's words dispelled the doubts in our hearts.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

解jiěuntie
开kāiopen

解 'untie' plus 开 'open' gives 'undo' or 'solve'.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

解 shows 刀 (knife) separating 角 (horn) from 牛 (cow), giving the picture of cutting up an ox.

Open 解 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 開; 开 is its simplified writing.

  • 門門méndoor
  • 一一yīlatch and/or wooden pole that shuts a door
  • 廾廾gǒnga pair of hands

The traditional form 開 shows 廾, a pair of hands, and 一, a latch or pole, inside 門, a door: hands opening a latched door. The simplified 开 is a shorthand form, so its parts are not the original pieces.

Open 开 →
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