会意 (huì yì) — to understand implicitly, to catch on, to cotton on
Definition
In Chinese linguistics, 会意 is one of the Six Methods (六书) of forming characters by combining the meanings of existing elements. As a verb, it means to grasp unspoken meaning — 'to catch on' to what someone means without being told outright.
verb
to understand implicitlyto catch onto cotton on
Easily confused
Examples
- ，会意。Tā huà shuō dào yí bàn, wǒ jiù huì yì le.He said half a sentence, and I already caught on.
- ，会意。Nǐ bú yòng jiě shì, wǒ yǐ jīng huì yì le.You don't need to explain; I already understand.
- ，会意。Tā wēi wēi yí xiào, wǒ mǎ shàng huì yì le tā de yì si.She gave a faint smile, and I immediately understood her meaning.
Appears in
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.