痛快

• Pinyin: tòng kuài
• Hanzi breakdown: 痛 = 疒(illness radical, used for intensity) + 甬 (phonetic); 快 = 忄(heart) + 夬 (phonetic)

Meaning

Thoroughly enjoyable; to one's heart's content; frank and direct.

Describes two related ideas: (1) a state of intense satisfaction — doing something freely and fully (玩得痛快, play to one's heart's content); (2) a person who speaks frankly and directly without beating around the bush. Context determines which meaning applies.

Examples

1. 这个周末玩得真痛快，什么烦恼都暂时忘掉了。 This weekend was an absolute blast — we forgot all our worries for a while.
2. 他是个痛快的人，说话直接，从来不拐弯抹角。 He is a straight-talking person who always says what he means without beating around the bush.
3. 运动之后冲了个热水澡，感觉特别痛快。 After exercising, I had a hot shower and felt completely refreshed.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, social

Tone: enthusiastic

Do Say

• 今天玩得太痛快了！(Today was so much fun — we had an absolute blast!)
• 他答应得很痛快，没有任何犹豫。(He agreed very decisively, without any hesitation.)

Don't Say

• 在正式书面语中少用痛快 — 书面语中用 愉快 or 直率 更合适 (In formal writing, use 愉快 for enjoyment and 直率 for frankness instead of 痛快.)

Origin & History

Compound of 痛 (intense/thorough) and 快 (happy/fast). Together they convey a feeling of full, unrestrained pleasure or directness — something done with wholehearted energy.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal