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| 结实 [2025/08/06 02:43] – created xiaoer | 结实 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 |
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| ====== jiēshi: 结实 - Sturdy, Solid, Strong, Well-built ====== | |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | |
| * **Keywords:** jieshi, 结实, sturdy in Chinese, strong in Chinese, well-built Chinese, durable Chinese, solid, robust, learn Chinese, what does jieshi mean, Chinese adjectives | |
| * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese adjective **结实 (jiēshi)**, a versatile word used to describe something as physically **sturdy**, **solid**, and **durable**, from a well-made table to a reliable pair of shoes. It's also commonly used as a compliment to describe a person as **strong**, **well-built**, and **healthy**. This guide will break down its meaning, cultural context, and practical use with many examples, helping you master how to describe physical robustness in Mandarin Chinese. | |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** jiēshi | |
| * **Part of Speech:** Adjective | |
| * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 | |
| * **Concise Definition:** Describes an object as sturdy and solid, or a person as physically strong and healthy. | |
| * **In a Nutshell:** Think of **结实 (jiēshi)** as the go-to word for "solidly built." Whether you're talking about a chair that won't wobble or a person who looks robust and healthy, `结实` conveys a sense of physical integrity and resilience. It’s a positive, everyday term that implies something or someone is dependable and won't easily fall apart or get sick. | |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | |
| * **结 (jiē):** The primary meaning of this character is "to tie," "to knot," or "to bind together." Imagine tying a secure knot in a rope. | |
| * **实 (shí):** This character means "solid," "real," or "substantial." It can also refer to fruit or seeds, things that are dense and full. | |
| When combined, **结实 (jiēshi)** literally means "tied solidly" or "bound together in a substantial way." This creates a powerful and intuitive image of something that is well-constructed, dense, and not easily broken, which applies perfectly to both durable objects and healthy, strong bodies. | |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | |
| While `结实` is a practical descriptive word, its use reflects certain cultural values. In Chinese culture, there's a high appreciation for things that are **durable (耐用 - nàiyòng)** and built to last. Praising an object as `结实` is not just a comment on its quality but an acknowledgement of its good craftsmanship and value. | |
| When used for people, `结实` is a common and sincere compliment, especially for children and men. It doesn't necessarily mean "muscular" like a bodybuilder (a more specific term would be `强壮 - qiángzhuàng`), but rather robust, healthy, and full of vitality. Calling a child `结实` is a way for elders to express that the child looks well-cared-for and has a strong constitution, which is a source of pride for parents. | |
| **Comparison to Western Culture:** In English, "strong" is a very broad term. We can have a "strong argument," "strong coffee," or a "strong will." **结实 (jiēshi) is much more specific and is almost exclusively used for physical structure and solidity.** A closer English equivalent for objects is "sturdy" or "solid." For people, it's a mix between "well-built," "robust," and "sturdy." Unlike the Western focus on sculpted muscles, `结实` often emphasizes a more natural, dense, and resilient kind of physical strength. | |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | |
| `结实` is an extremely common word in daily conversation. Its connotation is almost always positive. | |
| * **Describing Objects:** You can use it to talk about furniture, clothing, buildings, bags, ropes, or any physical item. If you buy a new backpack and your friend asks about its quality, you can say "很结实 (hěn jiēshi)" to mean it's well-made and won't tear easily. | |
| * **Describing People:** It's a great way to compliment someone's physical health. You might say it about a friend who works out, an uncle who does manual labor, or a child who is active and rarely gets sick. It implies they have a solid, healthy body. It's informal and friendly. | |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | |
| * **Example 1:** | |
| * 这张桌子是用实木做的，非常**结实**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhè zhāng zhuōzi shì yòng shímù zuò de, fēicháng **jiēshi**. | |
| * English: This table is made of solid wood; it's very sturdy. | |
| * Analysis: A classic example of `结实` used to describe furniture. It emphasizes the table's durability and solid construction. | |
| * **Example 2:** | |
| * 你看那个小伙子，身体多**结实**啊！ | |
| * Pinyin: Nǐ kàn nàge xiǎohuǒzi, shēntǐ duō **jiēshi** a! | |
| * English: Look at that young man, he's so well-built! | |
| * Analysis: Here, `结实` is a compliment about a person's physique, suggesting he is strong and healthy. The particle `啊 (a)` adds a tone of admiration. | |
| * **Example 3:** | |
| * 我需要一根**结实**的绳子来捆这些箱子。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ xūyào yī gēn **jiēshi** de shéngzi lái kǔn zhèxiē xiāngzi. | |
| * English: I need a strong rope to tie these boxes. | |
| * Analysis: `结实` describes the necessary quality of the rope—it must be strong enough not to break under strain. | |
| * **Example 4:** | |
| * 这双登山鞋看起来很**结实**，应该很耐穿。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhè shuāng dēngshānxié kànqǐlái hěn **jiēshi**, yīnggāi hěn nàichuān. | |
| * English: This pair of hiking boots looks very solid; they should be very durable. | |
| * Analysis: This sentence links `结实` (sturdy) with `耐穿` (durable to wear), showing how the concepts are related. | |
| * **Example 5:** | |
| * 王爷爷虽然八十岁了，但身子骨还很**结实**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wáng yéye suīrán bāshí suì le, dàn shēnzǐgǔ hái hěn **jiēshi**. | |
| * English: Although Grandpa Wang is eighty, his body is still very robust. | |
| * Analysis: `身子骨 (shēnzǐgǔ)` means "frame" or "constitution." `结实` is used here to describe an elderly person's surprising health and strength. | |
| * **Example 6:** | |
| * 这个背包的带子够**结实**吗？我得装很多书。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhège bēibāo de dàizi gòu **jiēshi** ma? Wǒ děi zhuāng hěnduō shū. | |
| * English: Are the straps on this backpack strong enough? I have to pack a lot of books. | |
| * Analysis: A practical question where `结实` is used to inquire about an object's structural integrity. | |
| * **Example 7:** | |
| * 他从小就爱运动，所以长得很**结实**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tā cóngxiǎo jiù ài yùndòng, suǒyǐ zhǎng de hěn **jiēshi**. | |
| * English: He has loved sports since he was a child, so he grew up to be very sturdy/strong. | |
| * Analysis: This example connects a cause (sports) with an effect (a `结实` body), reinforcing the meaning of physical health. | |
| * **Example 8:** | |
| * 这座桥是石头砌的，特别**结实**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhè zuò qiáo shì shítou qì de, tèbié **jiēshi**. | |
| * English: This bridge is built of stone; it's especially solid. | |
| * Analysis: `结实` is used to describe a large structure, highlighting its safety and solid construction. | |
| * **Example 9:** | |
| * 你把这个结打得**结实**一点，别让它松了。 | |
| * Pinyin: Nǐ bǎ zhège jié dǎ de **jiēshi** yīdiǎn, bié ràng tā sōng le. | |
| * English: Tie this knot a bit tighter (more solidly); don't let it come loose. | |
| * Analysis: This is a more literal usage that plays on the character `结` (knot). It means to make the knot "solid" or "secure." | |
| * **Example 10:** | |
| * 一场大病之后，他看起来没以前那么**结实**了。 | |
| * Pinyin: Yī chǎng dàbìng zhīhòu, tā kànqǐlái méi yǐqián nàme **jiēshi** le. | |
| * English: After a serious illness, he doesn't look as robust as he used to. | |
| * Analysis: This shows the opposite situation, where a lack of `结实` implies a decline in health or strength. | |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | |
| * **Mistake 1: Using `结实` for Abstract Concepts.** | |
| * English speakers might be tempted to use `结实` for things like a "strong argument" or "strong evidence." This is incorrect. `结实` is strictly for physical objects and bodies. | |
| * **Incorrect:** ~~这个论点很结实。~~ (Zhège lùndiǎn hěn jiēshi.) | |
| * **Correct:** 这个论点很**有力**。(Zhège lùndiǎn hěn **yǒulì**.) - This argument is very **powerful**. | |
| * **`结实 (jiēshi)` vs. `强壮 (qiángzhuàng)`** | |
| * These two words can both mean "strong" for a person, but there's a key difference. | |
| * **`强壮 (qiángzhuàng)`** specifically implies muscular strength and power, like a weightlifter or athlete. It's about being "strong and brawny." | |
| * **`结实 (jiēshi)`** is about being solid, dense, and healthy. A person can be lean and not very muscular but still be `结实` if they are fit and have a sturdy build. `结实` is more about resilience, while `强壮` is more about raw power. | |
| * **Important Pronunciation Note: `jiēshi` vs. `jiēshí`** | |
| * The same characters 结实 can be pronounced differently to mean different things. | |
| * **`jiēshi` (adjective):** Sturdy, strong. (The topic of this page). | |
| * **`jiēshí` (verb):** To bear fruit. (e.g., 这棵树结果实了 - Zhè kē shù jiēshí le - This tree bore fruit.) | |
| * Pay close attention to the tone on the second character to avoid confusion. In spoken language, the context almost always makes the meaning clear. | |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | |
| * [[强壮]] (qiángzhuàng) - A related term for people meaning "strong and muscular." More focused on brawn and power than `结实`. | |
| * [[健康]] (jiànkāng) - The general term for "health" or "healthy." A person who is `结实` is almost certainly also `健康`. | |
| * [[牢固]] (láogù) - A close synonym for objects meaning "firm, secure, solid." Often used for things that are fixed in place, like foundations or installed equipment. | |
| * [[耐用]] (nàiyòng) - Means "durable" or "long-lasting." An object that is `结实` is usually also `耐用`, but `耐用` focuses more on lifespan over time. | |
| * [[坚固]] (jiāngù) - A more formal word for "sturdy, solid," often used in writing to describe buildings, fortifications, or structures. | |
| * [[瘦弱]] (shòuruò) - An antonym for people, meaning "thin and weak" or "frail." | |
| * [[单薄]] (dānbó) - An antonym that can mean "thin" (for clothing) or "frail/thin" (for a person's body). It's the opposite of a `结实` physique. | |