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 () the horns () from a cow () using a knife ().

About

The character "解" structurally integrates the components 角, 刀, and 牛, which depict the action of using a knife on a horned animal, initially conveying the concrete idea of dismembering or separating. This foundational meaning gradually extended to encompass abstract actions such as untying, resolving difficulties, and providing explanations, with its application expanding into fields like mathematics for solving equations and literary analysis for interpreting texts, thereby reflecting a consistent conceptual thread of separation or release across its semantic evolution.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

请你释一下。

Qǐng nǐ jiěshì yīxià.

Please explain it.

这个问题很难

Zhège wèntí hěn nán jiě.

This problem is hard to solve.

开了绳子。

Tā jiěkāile shéngzi.

He untied the rope.

我们需要理这个概念。

Wǒmen xūyào lǐjiě zhège gàiniàn.

We need to understand this concept.

雇了那名员工。

Tā jiěgùle nà míng yuángōng.

She fired that employee.

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,双方逐渐除了误会。

Tōngguò duìhuà, shuāngfāng zhújiàn jiěchúle wùhuì.

Through dialogue, both sides gradually resolved the misunderstanding.