绝对

• Pinyin: jué duì
• Hanzi breakdown: 绝 = 纟 (silk) + 色 (colour), originally meaning to cut silk; extended to mean extreme or absolute; 对 = originally 寸 (measure) with a phonetic component, meaning correct or paired

Meaning

Absolutely; definitely; without any doubt. Expresses complete certainty or an extreme degree.

Used as an adverb to emphasise certainty. Can be positive (绝对可以 — absolutely can) or negative (绝对不行 — absolutely not). Also used as an adjective meaning 'absolute' as in 绝对真理 (absolute truth). The opposite is 相对 (relative).

Examples

1. 他说的话绝对是真的。 What he said is absolutely true.
2. 这件事绝对不能告诉别人。 This must absolutely not be told to anyone.
3. 我绝对支持你的决定。 I absolutely support your decision.

Usage Guide

Context: emphasis, certainty, everyday

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 我绝对不会迟到。(I absolutely will not be late.)
• 这家店的东西绝对值得买。(This shop's products are absolutely worth buying.)

Don't Say

• 天气绝对有点冷。(Don't combine 绝对 with 有点 — they contradict. 绝对 means 'absolutely' while 有点 means 'a little.' Say 天气绝对很冷 or 天气有点冷.)

Origin & History

Compound of 绝 (to cut off, extreme, absolute) and 对 (correct, opposite, pair). Together: 'extremely correct' or 'without any opposing possibility' — absolute certainty.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal