索性

• Pinyin: suǒ xìng
• Hanzi breakdown: 索 = 糸 + 冖 + 十; 性 = 忄(heart) + 生 (life)

Meaning

Simply; might as well; just go ahead and. Indicates doing something decisively rather than hesitating.

An adverb expressing a decisive, 'let's just do it' attitude, often after weighing options or when circumstances push toward a clear choice. Similar to 干脆 but slightly more literary.

Examples

1. 既然睡不着，索性起来把那份报告写完算了。 Since I can't sleep anyway, I might as well get up and finish that report.
2. 反正周末没事，索性陪你去逛街吧。 Since we've got nothing to do this weekend, I'll just go shopping with you.
3. 雨越下越大，他索性不等了，冲进雨里跑回家。 The rain was getting heavier, so he just stopped waiting and ran home through the rain.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, decision-making

Tone: decisive

Do Say

• 索性把话说清楚。(Just say it clearly.)
• 索性一次做完。(Might as well finish it all at once.)

Don't Say

• 用'索性'表达勉强 (索性 implies willing decisiveness — don't use it when you're being forced or reluctant)

Origin & History

索 here means 'simply' or 'directly,' 性 relates to nature or tendency. The combination conveys a direct, decisive action.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal