解

• Pinyin: jiě
• Hanzi breakdown: 解 = 角 (horn) + 刀 (knife) + 牛 (ox), to dissect/untie

Meaning

To untie; to solve; to explain; to relieve. A versatile verb with multiple related meanings.

One of the most productive single-character verbs in Chinese. Core meanings include: untying physical knots (解开), solving problems (解决), explaining or interpreting (解释), and relieving or dispelling (解渴, 解闷). Also used in mathematical contexts for 'solve' (解方程). The character itself conveys the idea of breaking something apart to understand or release it.

Examples

1. 这道数学题太难了，我想了半天也解不出来。 This math problem is too hard; I thought about it for ages but still couldn't solve it.
2. 他总算解开了心里的疙瘩，跟父亲和好了。 He finally untied the knot in his heart and reconciled with his father.
3. 天气太热，喝杯凉茶解解暑吧。 It's too hot; have a cup of herbal tea to cool off.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, academic, emotional

Tone: versatile

Do Say

• 你能帮我解一下这个结吗？(Can you help me untie this knot?)
• 喝点水解解渴。(Have some water to quench your thirst.)

Don't Say

• 单独用解代替解决，如'这个问题我来解' (In formal contexts, use the full form 解决 for solving problems)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic character. 角 (horn) + 刀 (knife) + 牛 (ox) — originally depicted using a knife to separate an ox's horns, meaning 'to dissect' or 'to untie.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal