解释
jiěshì
The Chinese word for 'explain' is 解释 (jiěshì).
解释 is commonly used when providing a reason or an excuse for a misunderstanding or a mistake. If you wish to say that you will explain something briefly or make a request sound softer and more polite, you can add the particle 一下 after the word to form 解释一下.
Meaning: excuse (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word consists of 解 (jiě), which means to untie or loosen and 释 (shì), which means to release or explain.
Which one should you use?
While 解释 is often used to provide a reason or an excuse for a mistake, the term 说明 (shuōmíng) is used when you want to illustrate a fact, a process or a situation clearly.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that an explanation has been completed or occurred in the past, you can add the particle 了 (le) after the verb to get 解释了.
How do you pronounce it?
jiěshì
Did you know?
- The character 解 in 解释 originally depicted a knife cutting a piece of bone, reflecting the idea of 'breaking something down' to understand it.
- In ancient Chinese texts, the root of 解释 was often used in the context of interpreting dreams or omens, not just clarifying facts.
- If you use 解释 (jiěshì) to defend yourself in an argument, a Chinese speaker might perceive it as you being defensive rather than helpful.
Examples in context
- 没时间解释。There's no time to explain.This sentence shows how to express that there is no time for the action of 解释.Tatoeba #4625756 by Yashanti, translation #3171792 by CK
- 我现在不能解释。I can't explain it now.This sentence is useful for saying the action of 解释 cannot happen at the current moment.Tatoeba #5911756 by verdastelo9604, translation #1951585 by CK
- 请给我些时间来解释。Please give me a minute to explain.This sentence demonstrates asking for time in order to 解释.Tatoeba #9958202 by GlossaMatik, translation #4015996 by CK
- 老师正在解释新的数学概念。Teacher is explaining new mathematical concepts.
- 请解释一下你的决策过程。Please explain your decision-making process.
- 这个理论需要仔细解释。This theory needs to be explained carefully.
- 演讲者正在阐述他的观点。The speaker is explaining his viewpoint.
- 在这篇文章中，作者阐述了他的研究结果。In this article, the author explains his research findings.
- 请你能不能再详细说一下这个问题。Could you please explain this problem again in more detail?
- 他不愿意说他晚归的原因。He doesn't want to explain the reason for his late return.
- 他耐心地讲给我听，直到我明白为止。He patiently explains to me until I understand.
- 可以讲一下你的看法吗？Can you explain your opinion?
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Xiaowen arrives late to a meeting with Haoran.
- 浩然 Haoran你为什么迟到了？Nǐ wèishéme chídào le?Why are you late?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我可以解释一下吗？Wǒ kěyǐ jiěshì yīxià ma?Can I explain?
- 浩然 Haoran好吧，快说吧。Hǎo ba, kuài shuō ba.Fine, go ahead.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen路上堵车太严重了。Lùshàng dǔchē tài yánzhòng le.The traffic on the road was too bad.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
