解

xiè, jiě, jiè

角 + 𭷔

HSK 3.0Level 6

Definitions

jiě (verb) to solve; to explain; to understand

jiě (verb) to untie; to loosen; to remove

jiě (verb) to divide; to break up; to separate

jiě (verb) to melt; to dissolve

jiè (verb) to transport under guard

Etymology

Depicts separating (解) the horns (角) from a cow (牛) using a knife (刀).

About

解 consists of three components: 角 meaning "horn", 刀 meaning "knife", and 牛 meaning "cow". Together they illustrate the act of using a knife to separate the horns from a cow. This image gave rise to the original sense of butchering or dismembering livestock. Over time, the meaning expanded from physical division to broader notions of separating and loosening. It then extended to abstract contexts, such as untying knots, resolving disagreements, and clarifying complex ideas. Eventually, 解 came to denote solving problems, comprehending information, and finding resolutions.

Etymology Hide

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

请你解释一下。

Qǐng nǐ jiěshì yīxià.

Please explain it.

这个问题很难解。

Zhège wèntí hěn nán jiě.

This problem is hard to solve.

他解开了绳子。

Tā jiěkāile shéngzi.

He untied the rope.

我们需要理解这个概念。

Wǒmen xūyào lǐjiě zhège gàiniàn.

We need to understand this concept.

她解雇了那名员工。

Tā jiěgùle nà míng yuángōng.

She fired that employee.

解压后文件可以使用。

Jiěyā hòu wénjiàn kěyǐ shǐyòng.

After decompression, the file can be used.

科学家试图解开这个谜团。

Kēxuéjiā shìtú jiěkāi zhège mítuán.

Scientists are trying to solve this mystery.

通过对话，双方逐渐解除了误会。

Tōngguò duìhuà, shuāngfāng zhújiàn jiěchúle wùhuì.

Through dialogue, both sides gradually resolved the misunderstanding.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 角

解