Learn a Chinese Character - 解

1. Character Basics

Radical: 角/jiǎo (horn radical)

Stroke Count: 13

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: jiě (third tone), jiè (fourth tone), xiè (fourth tone)

3. Meaning

For jiě (third tone): To untie; to loosen; to open; to solve; to explain; to understand; to resolve; to melt; to digest; to divide; to separate; to release; to free

For jiè (fourth tone): To send under guard; to escort; to hand over (to authorities)

For xiè (fourth tone): A surname; to relax; to discharge (in traditional Chinese medicine); to dismount (from a horse); (used in certain idioms)

4. Common Words

• 解决 (jiějué) - to solve, to resolve

  我们需要解决这个问题。

  We need to solve this problem.

• 理解 (lǐjiě) - to understand, comprehension

  我理解你的感受。

  I understand your feelings.

• 解释 (jiěshì) - to explain, explanation

  请解释一下这个概念。

  Please explain this concept.

• 解放 (jiěfàng) - to liberate, liberation

  中国人民获得了解放。

  The Chinese people achieved liberation.

• 解答 (jiědá) - to answer, answer, solution

  老师解答了我们的问题。

  The teacher answered our questions.

• 解元 (jièyuán) - title for the top candidate in the provincial imperial examination in ancient China

  他在科举考试中获得了解元。

  He won the title of 'Jie Yuan' in the imperial examination.

5. Grammar & Usage

The character 解 has several important grammatical patterns and usages:

• As a verb (jiě):

  Used to indicate actions of untying, solving, explaining, or understanding

  Examples: 解开绳子 (untie the rope), 解决问题 (solve the problem), 解释原因 (explain the reason)

• As a verb (jiè):

  Used in the context of sending someone under guard or escorting

  Example: 解送犯人 (escort a prisoner)

• As a verb (xiè):

  Used in specific contexts like surnames or certain idioms

  Example: 解甲归田 (xiè jiǎ guī tián - to take off one's armor and return to the farm, to retire from military service)

• In compound verbs:

  Often combined with other characters to form verbs with specific meanings

  Examples: 理解 (to understand), 解释 (to explain), 解放 (to liberate)

• In the structure "解+名":

  Where 解 modifies a noun to indicate solving, untying, or explaining

  Examples: 解法 (solution method), 解药 (antidote), 解释 (explanation)

• In idiomatic expressions:

  Used in various idioms to describe solving problems, understanding situations, or relieving conditions

  Examples: 不解之缘 (unbreakable bond), 解铃还须系铃人 (whoever tied the bell must untie it), 难解难分 (difficult to separate)

The character 解 is versatile and appears in many contexts related to solving, understanding, explaining, and separating, with different pronunciations used for specific meanings.

6. Cultural Background

The character 解 has important cultural significance in Chinese society:

• In Chinese philosophy, the concept of 解 relates to understanding and resolving complex issues, reflecting the cultural value of seeking wisdom and clarity.
• The term 解元 (jièyuán) was an important title in the imperial examination system, awarded to the top candidate in the provincial level exam, highlighting the cultural emphasis on academic achievement.
• In traditional Chinese medicine, 解 is used in terms like 解表 (to relieve exterior symptoms) and 解毒 (to counteract toxicity), showing its importance in healthcare practices.
• Idioms containing 解, such as 解铃还须系铃人 (whoever tied the bell must untie it) and 难解难分 (difficult to separate), reflect cultural insights and ways of thinking.
• In Chinese literature, 解 is often used in the context of solving mysteries or understanding profound truths, as seen in detective stories and philosophical texts.
• The character's three different pronunciations (jiě, jiè, xiè) demonstrate the richness and complexity of the Chinese language and its cultural expressions.

Overall, the character 解 reflects important cultural values related to wisdom, problem-solving, understanding, and the appreciation of complexity in Chinese society.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

The character 解 (jiě, jiè, xiè) can be broken down into three parts:

• The left part is 角 (jiǎo), the horn radical.
• The middle part is 刀 (dāo), the knife radical.
• The right part is 牛 (niú), the ox radical.

To remember this character:

1. Associate the combination of 角, 刀, and 牛 with the idea of using a knife to untie or separate something related to an ox or horn, which connects to the core meaning of "to untie" or "to solve".
2. Practice writing the character several times, focusing on the correct stroke order: start with the 角 radical on the left, then add the 刀 part in the middle, and finally the 牛 part on the right.
3. Connect the character to its most common use in everyday phrases like 解决问题 (solve the problem) or 理解 (understand).
4. Use mnemonics: Imagine using a knife (刀) to carefully untie or separate something from a bull's horn (角+牛), representing the act of solving or explaining.
5. Learn the character's three different pronunciations and their specific meanings to better remember its versatility.
6. Notice how 解 appears in compound words with related meanings, and learn these compounds together to expand your vocabulary.