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轻易 (qīng yì) — (adverb) easily, without difficulty; (adverb) rashly, lightly, casually (often in negative constructions)

Definition

Often appears in negatives (不轻易 / 别轻易) to mean 'not easily' or 'not rashly'. Compared to 胡乱, it focuses on the consequence of carelessness rather than chaotic action.

adverb
easilywithout difficultyrashlylightlycasually (often in negative constructions)

Examples

  • 轻易。
    Tā qīng yì dì jiě jué le zhè ge nán tí.
    He solved this difficult problem easily.
  • 轻易。
    Bú yào qīng yì dā ying bié rén de yāo qiú.
    Don't rashly agree to other people's requests.
  • 轻易，。
    Zhè jiàn shì bù qīng yì, nǐ yào rèn zhēn duì dài.
    This matter is not simple; you need to take it seriously.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

轻qīnglight
易yìeasy

轻 and 易 both convey ease, so 轻易 means easily or without difficulty.

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 輕; 轻 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
車車jūcarriage
Sound part声符shēngfú
巠
巠jīng輕qīng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 輕 pairs 車, a carriage, with 巠 to give the sound; it originally named a light carriage. The simplified 轻 is only a later shorthand.

Open 轻 →

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

The early form of 易 was a drawing of a filled container, not a chameleon. It showed something full that could be given out.

Open 易 →
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