解围

• Pinyin: jiě wéi
• Hanzi breakdown: 解 = 角 + 刀 + 牛 — to break; 围 = 囗 + 韦 — to surround

Meaning

To break a siege; to rescue from an awkward situation. Helping someone out of difficulty.

Originally a military term for breaking through an enemy siege. Now commonly used for helping someone escape an embarrassing or awkward social situation. Can also refer to relieving someone from difficult circumstances.

Examples

1. 他在会议上说错话时，同事及时出来解围。 When he said the wrong thing in the meeting, his colleague stepped in to save him.
2. 面对记者的尖锐提问，公关总监巧妙地为CEO解围。 Facing the reporter's sharp questions, the PR director cleverly came to the CEO's rescue.
3. 眼看约会快要冷场，她想尽办法解围。 Seeing the date was about to become awkward, she tried everything to break the ice.

Usage Guide

Context: social, work, conversation

Tone: helpful

Do Say

• 谢谢你替我解围。(Thanks for bailing me out.)
• 我来帮你解围。(Let me help you out of this.)

Don't Say

• 用'解围'形容解决技术问题 (Don't use 解围 for solving technical problems — it's for social or personal predicaments)

Origin & History

Originally a military term: 解 (to break; to lift) + 围 (siege; encirclement). Now extended to social situations where someone is 'surrounded' by awkwardness.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal