诘

詰

jié

吉 + 讠

Definitions

jié (bound form) to question closely; to interrogate

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 讠 represents the meaning and 吉 represents the sound. Simplified form of 詰.

Semantic: 讠 Phonetic: 吉

About

As a phono-semantic compound, 詰 (simplified: 诘) uses the semantic radical 言 (speech) on the left to indicate its connection to verbal communication, while the phonetic component 吉 on the right provides its pronunciation. The character fundamentally means to interrogate or closely question, such as in cross-examining a witness or scrutinizing a statement to uncover inconsistencies. In its simplified form, the speech radical is condensed into 讠, and the character remains common in legal and investigative contexts requiring rigorous inquiry.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他反复诘问对方。

Tā fǎnfù jiéwèn duìfāng.

He repeatedly questioned the other party.

老师诘问学生的答案。

Lǎoshī jiéwèn xuéshēng de dá'àn.

The teacher questioned the student's answer.

记者不断诘问官员关于事件。

Jìzhě bùduàn jiéwèn guānyuán guānyú shìjiàn.

The reporter continuously questioned the official about the incident.

会议上他尖锐地诘问提案。

Huìyì shàng tā jiānruì de jiéwèn tí'àn.

At the meeting, he sharply questioned the proposal.

在严厉的诘问下，他终于承认错误。

Zài yánlì de jiéwèn xià, tā zhōngyú chéngrèn cuòwù.

Under severe questioning, he finally admitted the mistake.

她面对一连串的诘问却保持冷静。

Tā miànduì yīliánchuàn de jiéwèn què bǎochí lěngjìng.

She faced a series of questions but remained calm.

律师在法庭上盘诘证人。

Lǜshī zài fǎtíng shàng pánjié zhèngrén.

The lawyer cross-examined the witness in court.

哲学家的诘问深入真理的本质。

Zhéxuéjiā de jiéwèn shēnrù zhēnlǐ de běnzhì.

The philosopher's questioning delves into the nature of truth.

Related Characters

Component: 吉

Component: 讠

诘