Learn a Chinese Character - 竭

1. Character Basics

Radical: 立/lì (stand radical)

Stroke Count: 14

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: jié (second tone)

3. Meaning

Exhaust; use up; deplete; drain; empty; to exhaust; to use up completely; to wear out; to drain dry; to be drained; to be exhausted; to the utmost; completely

4. Common Words

• 竭尽全力 (jiéjìn quánlì) - do one's utmost, try one's best

  他竭尽全力帮助朋友。

  He did his utmost to help his friend.

• 枯竭 (kūjié) - dry up, exhaust, deplete

  资源正在枯竭。

  Resources are being depleted.

• 耗尽 (hàojìn) - use up, exhaust, deplete

  我们耗尽了所有的精力。

  We exhausted all our energy.

• 竭诚 (jiéchéng) - wholeheartedly, with all sincerity

  我们竭诚为您服务。

  We serve you wholeheartedly.

• 衰竭 (shuāijié) - failure, exhaustion, breakdown

  他因为过度劳累导致心脏衰竭。

  He suffered heart failure due to overwork.

• 竭泽而渔 (jiézé ér yú) - drain a pond to catch all the fish, to exhaust resources for short-term gain

  我们不能竭泽而渔，应该可持续发展。

  We shouldn't drain the pond to catch all the fish; we should pursue sustainable development.

5. Grammar & Usage

The character 竭 has several important grammatical patterns and usages:

• As a verb:

  Used to indicate actions of exhausting, using up, or depleting

  Example: 他已经竭尽了所有的资源。 (He has already exhausted all resources.)

• In compound verbs:

  Often combined with other characters to form verbs with specific meanings related to exhaustion or depletion

  Examples: 竭尽全力 (do one's utmost), 耗尽 (use up), 枯竭 (dry up)

• In the structure "竭+名词":

  Where 竭 modifies a noun to indicate it's exhausted or used up

  Examples: 竭虑 (exhausted thoughts), 竭精 (exhausted energy)

• In the structure "动+竭":

  Where 竭 follows a verb to indicate complete exhaustion or depletion of that verb's object

  Examples: 力竭 (exhausted strength), 财竭 (exhausted wealth), 气竭 (exhausted energy)

• In idiomatic expressions:

  Used in various idioms to describe complete exhaustion or unsustainable practices

  Examples: 竭尽全力 (do one's utmost), 竭泽而渔 (drain a pond to catch all the fish), 声嘶力竭 (shout oneself hoarse)

• In the structure "竭诚+动":

  Where 竭诚 is used as an adverbial phrase meaning "wholeheartedly" or "with all sincerity"

  Example: 竭诚欢迎 (welcome wholeheartedly), 竭诚合作 (cooperate with all sincerity)

竭 is often used in contexts related to the complete use or depletion of resources, energy, or efforts, both in literal and figurative senses.

6. Cultural Background

The character 竭 has important cultural significance in Chinese society:

• The idiom 竭尽全力 (jiéjìn quánlì) reflects the Chinese cultural value of diligence and giving one's all to achieve a goal.
• The concept of 竭泽而渔 (jiézé ér yú) is used as a cautionary tale against short-term thinking and unsustainable practices, emphasizing the importance of preserving resources for future generations.
• In traditional Chinese philosophy, there's a balance between exerting effort and maintaining harmony, as reflected in the saying "过犹不及" (guò yóu bù jí) - going too far is as bad as not going far enough.
• The character 竭 is often used in contexts related to dedication and commitment, such as 竭诚服务 (serve wholeheartedly) or 竭尽全力工作 (work to the best of one's ability).
• In Chinese medicine, the concept of 衰竭 (failure, exhaustion) is used to describe various health conditions where the body's vital energies are depleted.
• The phrase 声嘶力竭 (shout oneself hoarse) is often used in literature to describe intense emotional states or passionate arguments.

Overall, the character 竭 reflects important cultural concepts related to effort, dedication, sustainability, and the management of resources in Chinese society.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

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

• The upper part is 立 (lì), the stand radical, which means "stand" or "upright".
• The lower part is 曷 (hé), which provides the pronunciation clue.

To remember this character:

1. Associate the combination of 立 and 曷 with the idea of standing and using up all one's energy or resources until exhaustion.
2. Practice writing the character several times, focusing on the correct stroke order: start with the 立 radical, then add the 曷 part below it.
3. Connect the character to its most common use in everyday phrases like 竭尽全力 (do one's utmost) or 枯竭 (dry up).
4. Use mnemonics: Imagine someone standing (立) and using all their strength until they are completely exhausted (竭).
5. Learn the character's cultural significance by associating it with concepts of dedication, sustainability, and balance in Chinese culture.
6. Notice how 竭 appears in compound words with related meanings, and learn these compounds together to expand your vocabulary.