激进的
jījìn de
The English word 'radical' (meaning favouring fundamental change) is translated into Chinese as 激进的 (jījìn de).
The term 激进的 is used to describe political, social or ideological positions that advocate for sudden or fundamental change.
Meaning: favouring fundamental change (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 激进 (jījìn), which means radical or extreme. This is further broken down into 激 (jī), meaning to stimulate or provoke and 进 (jìn), meaning to advance or progress.
Which one should you use?
In political or ideological contexts, 激进的 is the antonym of 保守的 (bǎoshǒu de), which means 'conservative'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle 的 (de) is added to the adjective 激进 (jījìn) to allow it to function as an attributive adjective modifying a noun, such as in the phrase 激进的想法 (radical ideas).
How do you pronounce it?
jījìn de
Did you know?
- If you use 激进 to describe someone's personality, it can sound much harsher than saying someone is 'radical' in English, often implying they are impetuous or lacking restraint.
- In Chinese, the word for 'conservative' 保守的 literally means 'to keep and protect'. This frames the opposite of 'radical' as a protective act rather than just a preference for the status quo.
- The character 激 (jī) in 激进 is also the same character used to describe 'waves' or 'splashing' water. It conveys a sense of something being stirred up or agitated, much like water being struck.
Examples in context
- 这个字的 部首 是日字旁。The radical of this character is the "sun" radical.
- 这个字的 偏字旁 是口字旁。The radical of this character is the "mouth" radical.
- 这个字的 部首 是木字旁。The radical of this character is the "wood" radical.
- 你能找到 偏旁 吗？Can you identify the radical?
- 这种激进的改革引发了争议。Zhè zhǒng jījìn de gǎigé yǐnfā le zhēngyì.This kind of radical reform caused controversy.
- 我不赞成这么激进的方案。Wǒ bù zànchéng zhème jījìn de fāng'àn.I do not agree with such a radical plan.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a new project proposal.
- 梓涵 Zihan你觉得这个新计划怎么样？Nǐ juédé zhège xīn jìhuà zěnmeyàng?What do you think of this new plan?
- 俊杰 Junjie我觉得这个方案太激进的了。Wǒ juédé zhège fāng'àn tài jījìn de le.I think this proposal is too radical.
- 梓涵 Zihan但我们确实需要很大的改变。Dàn wǒmen quèshí xūyào hěn dà de gǎibiàn.But we really do need big changes.
- 俊杰 Junjie同意，但我们可以稍微温和一点。Tóngyì, dàn wǒmen kěyǐ shāowéi wēnhé yīdiǎn.I agree, but we could be a bit more moderate.
