Learn a Chinese Character

1. Character Basics

Radical: 扌/shǒu (hand radical)

Stroke Count: 11

Stroke Order:

Pinyin: jié (second tone)

Quick; fast; agile; prompt; nimble; victory; success; triumph; shortcut; convenient; straightforward

敏捷 (mǐnjié) - agile, quick, nimble
他的反应非常敏捷。

His reaction is very quick.
快捷 (kuàijié) - quick, fast, convenient
这家超市购物很快捷。

Shopping at this supermarket is very convenient.
捷报 (jiébào) - news of victory, report of success
前线传来捷报。

News of victory came from the front.
捷径 (jiéjìng) - shortcut, easy way
学习没有捷径可走。

There are no shortcuts in learning.
大捷 (dàjié) - great victory, major success
军队取得了大捷。

The army achieved a great victory.
捷足先登 (jiézú xiāndēng) - the quick-footed arrive first, to be the first to reach a goal
只有捷足先登的人才能成功。

Only those who move quickly can succeed.

The character 捷 has several important grammatical patterns and usages:

As an adjective:
Used to describe something or someone that is quick, agile, or prompt

Example: 他动作很捷。 (His movements are very quick.)
In compound adjectives:
Often combined with other characters to form adjectives meaning 'quick' or 'agile'

Examples: 敏捷 (agile), 快捷 (quick), 轻捷 (light and quick)
In compound nouns:
Used in nouns referring to victory, shortcuts, or quick actions

Examples: 捷报 (news of victory), 捷径 (shortcut), 捷足 (quick feet)
In the structure "捷+名词":
Where 捷 modifies a noun to indicate it's quick or efficient

Examples: 捷运 (rapid transit), 捷道 (shortcut), 捷报 (news of victory)
In the structure "名+捷":
Where 捷 follows a noun to indicate speed or success related to that noun

Examples: 敏捷 (agility), 便捷 (convenience), 速捷 (swiftness)
In idiomatic expressions:
Used in various idioms to describe speed, agility, or success

Example: 捷足先登 (jiézú xiāndēng) - the quick-footed arrive first, 捷报频传 (jiébào pínchuán) - news of victory keeps coming

捷 is a positive character often used to describe both physical speed and mental quickness, as well as success or victory.

The character 捷 has important cultural significance in Chinese society:

In Chinese history and literature, 捷报 (news of victory) has been highly valued and celebrated, often announced with great fanfare.
The concept of 敏捷 (agility) and quick thinking is highly prized in Chinese culture, particularly in martial arts, sports, and intellectual pursuits.
Chinese philosophy emphasizes the importance of being both quick and steady, as reflected in the idiom 欲速则不达 (yù sù zé bù dá) - haste makes waste.
The character 捷 is often used in names, particularly for boys, to express the hope that the person will be quick-witted, successful, or victorious.
In traditional Chinese culture, there's a balance between appreciating speed and valuing thoroughness, which is reflected in the usage of 捷 in compound words.
In modern Chinese society, 快捷 (quick and convenient) has become increasingly important with the development of technology and fast-paced urban life.

Overall, the character 捷 reflects important cultural values such as speed, agility, success, and efficiency in Chinese society.

Chinese: 他凭借敏捷的思维和快速的反应，在比赛中取得了胜利。

Pinyin: Tā píngjiè mǐnjié de sīwéi hé kuàisù de fǎnyìng, zài bǐsài zhōng qǔdéle shènglì.

Translation: With his quick thinking and rapid response, he achieved victory in the competition.

The character 捷 (jié) can be broken down into two parts:

The left part is 扌 (shǒu), the hand radical, which means "hand" or "action".
The right part is 疌 (jié), which provides the pronunciation and is related to the concept of speed or quickness.

To remember this character:

Associate the combination of 扌 and 疌 with the idea of quick or agile movements made by the hand.
Practice writing the character several times, focusing on the correct stroke order: first the three strokes of the 扌 radical, then the 立, 十, and 又 components of the 疌 part.
Connect the character to its most common use in everyday phrases like 敏捷 (agile) or 快捷 (quick).
Use mnemonics: Imagine a hand (扌) moving quickly (疌) to represent the idea of speed and agility.
Learn the character's cultural significance by associating it with concepts of victory, success, and quick thinking in Chinese culture.
Notice how 捷 appears in compound words with related positive meanings, and learn these compounds together to expand your vocabulary.