Definitions

jié (verb) to cut off; to stop; to intercept
jié (noun) section; chunk; length

Etymology ideographic

A bird  cut off from its nest  by a weapon 

About

The character 截 describes forceful actions like cutting an object into sections, severing a continuous line, or intercepting someone's progress. It is a phono-semantic compound with the semantic radical 戈 (gē, halberd) on the right. Its strokes wrap around the character, indicating the use of sharp weaponry and decisive severing. The internal elements provide the phonetic value and historically combine imagery of birds and weapons, suggesting the swift, precise strike on a moving target. Its meaning extends from the literal chopping of materials like wood or fabric into specific lengths to the strategic interception of abstract entities such as communications, supply lines, or vehicles en route to their destination.

Etymology Hide

Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

申请止日期到了。

Shēnqǐng jiézhǐ rìqī dào le.

The application deadline has arrived.

住了那个球。

Tā jié zhù le nàge qiú.

He intercepted the ball.

我们需要断这段木头。

Wǒmen xūyào jiéduàn zhè duàn mùtou.

We need to cut off this piece of wood.

警察拦了那辆车。

Jǐngchá lánjié le nà liàng chē.

The police intercepted that car.

取屏幕的一部分。

Qǐng jiéqǔ píngmù de yī bùfen.

Please capture a part of the screen.

这条河被大坝流了。

Zhè tiáo hé bèi dàbà jiéliú le.

This river was dammed up.

面看,这个图形是圆的。

Cóng jiémiàn kàn, zhège túxíng shì yuán de.

From the cross-section, this shape is circular.

他们试图获敌人的通信。

Tāmen shìtú jiéhuò dírén de tōngxìn.

They attempted to intercept the enemy's communication.