结

• Pinyin: jié
• Hanzi breakdown: 结 = 纟(silk/thread radical) + 吉 (auspicious/phonetic) — the silk radical indicates tying or binding threads

Meaning

To tie; knot. Describes the action of fastening or the tied formation itself.

As a verb, means to tie or fasten. As a noun, refers to a knot or bond. Appears in many compound words: 结婚 (to marry), 结束 (to end), 结果 (result), 结构 (structure), and 中国结 (Chinese knot). Can also be used figuratively for emotional tangles: 心结 (an emotional knot).

Examples

1. 她在围巾上结了一个漂亮的蝴蝶结。 She tied a beautiful bow on the scarf.
2. 这根绳子上有好几个结，很难解开。 There are several knots on this rope, and they are hard to untie.
3. 他心里有个结，一直放不下。 He has a knot in his heart that he can't let go of.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, emotions, crafts

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 帮我把鞋带结一下。(Help me tie my shoelaces.)
• 中国结是一种传统手工艺品。(Chinese knots are a type of traditional handicraft.)

Don't Say

• 我结了这本书 (Don't use 结 alone to mean 'finished' — use 看完了 for finishing a book; 结 needs a complement like 结束)

Origin & History

Left component 纟(silk radical) relates to thread; right component 吉 (auspicious) is phonetic. Originally referred to tying threads together.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal