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March 24, 2026
痛快tòngkuài(tong4kuai4)
痛快 (tòng kuài) is an adjective that conveys a sense of joy, satisfaction, or straightforwardness. It can describe a feeling of being overjoyed or delighted in a situation, or it can also refer to someone who is frank and straightforward in communication. Commonly used in both personal and informal contexts, it emphasizes a sense of freedom and pleasure in an experience.
Frequency#7540DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being 痛快 is often viewed positively, indicating a person who is honest and straightforward in their dealings with others. This quality is valued in social interactions, reflecting a cultural preference for openness and sincerity.
Memory Tip
Think of 痛 (tòng) as 'pain' and 快 (kuài) as 'fast' or 'quick.' Imagine someone quickly overcoming pain to feel great delight. Visualize a person who, after a painful workout, enjoys a delicious meal, feeling both pain and joy, which helps you remember the contrasting meanings of the characters.
Meanings of 痛快
tòngkuài(tong4kuai4)
1overjoyed
2delighted
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About 痛快
痛快Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#7540Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 痛快
Podcast: 痛快
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AI Study Notes for 痛快
Quick Contrast
痛快 (tòng kuài) vs 幸福 (xìng fú): use 痛快 for immediate joy or satisfaction in a situation, while 幸福 refers to a deeper, lasting happiness or contentment.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 痛 (tòng) as 'pain' and 快 (kuài) as 'fast' or 'quick.' Imagine someone quickly overcoming pain to feel great delight. Visualize a person who, after a painful workout, enjoys a delicious meal, feeling both pain and joy, which helps you remember the contrasting meanings of the characters.
Usage Notes
When using 痛快, ensure you understand the context—it's typically informal and used among friends or in casual conversations. Avoid confusing it with similar words like 兴奋 (xīng fèn), which means 'excited' but lacks the straightforwardness implied by 痛快. Pay attention to the tones, as the wrong pronunciation can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 痛快 connects well with other descriptive adjectives and terms related to emotions. Focus on using it in sentences that express feelings or reactions, as this will help reinforce your vocabulary in emotional contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being 痛快 is often viewed positively, indicating a person who is honest and straightforward in their dealings with others. This quality is valued in social interactions, reflecting a cultural preference for openness and sincerity.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 痛快 with similar adjectives like 快乐 (kuài lè), which means 'happy' but lacks the connotation of straightforwardness. A common mistake is saying '我很快乐这件事情' instead of '这件事情让我很痛快.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 痛快
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Grammar Patterns of 痛快
痛快 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 9 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
I nipped round the corner for a quick beer and nearly pegged out on the spot.
9
看这个天,多么晴爽干燥, 正象北方人那样 爽直 痛快.
kàn zhè gè tiān, , duō mó qíng shuǎng gān, zào , zhèng xiàng běi fāng rén nà yàng shuǎng.
Look at that clear crisp sky, just like the straightforward, easy - going people of the North.
10
要卖,得痛痛快快的,拿钱来,我陪你睡.
yào mài, , dé tòng tòng kuài kuài, de , ná, qián lái , wǒ.
It was strictly a cash on delivery proposition.
Exercise 1 of 1
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We had a really good time together.
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Cultural Notes for 痛快
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, being 痛快 is often viewed positively, indicating a person who is honest and straightforward in their dealings with others. This quality is valued in social interactions, reflecting a cultural preference for openness and sincerity.
Frequently Asked Questions about 痛快
Generally, 痛快 is more suitable for informal contexts rather than formal writing, where more sophisticated vocabulary may be preferred.
Yes, 痛快 typically has a positive connotation, indicating enjoyment or satisfaction.
You can say '这次旅行真痛快！' (Zhè cì lǚxíng zhēn tòng kuài!) meaning 'This trip was truly delightful!'
