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March 24, 2026
干脆(乾脆)gāncuì(gan1cui4)
The term 干脆 (gān cuì) means straightforward, clear-cut, or blunt. It is often used to describe a situation or statement that is direct and unambiguous, indicating that something is done simply or without hesitation. This can apply in both positive contexts, such as decisiveness, and negative ones, such as rudeness.
Frequency#3559DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being 干脆 can be appreciated in business negotiations, where clear and direct communication is valued. However, being too blunt may also be perceived as lacking politeness, reflecting the balance between honesty and face-saving in social interactions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a clear, straight road (干) that cuts through the dense fog (脆), making your journey easy and direct. The straightforward path reminds you of the clarity and decisiveness found in a 干脆 statement.
Meanings of 干脆
gāncuì(gan1cui4)
1straightforward
2clear-cut
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About 干脆
干脆Simplified
乾脆Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
副形词xíngróngcíadj-adverb (adj.-adv.)Part of Speech
#3559Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 干脆
Podcast: 干脆
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AI Study Notes for 干脆
Quick Contrast
直接 (zhíjiē) - use 干脆 when emphasizing bluntness or simplicity, while 直接 focuses more on directness without the nuance of bluntness.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a clear, straight road (干) that cuts through the dense fog (脆), making your journey easy and direct. The straightforward path reminds you of the clarity and decisiveness found in a 干脆 statement.
Usage Notes
干脆 is generally used in informal contexts to express decisiveness or bluntness. Be cautious as it may come off as too direct in more formal settings. Common collocations include 干脆利落 (gān cuì lì luò), meaning 'decisively and neatly.'
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 干脆 connects well with other vocabulary expressing opinions or actions. Focus on its usage in different contexts and how it contrasts with more nuanced expressions of agreement or disagreement.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being 干脆 can be appreciated in business negotiations, where clear and direct communication is valued. However, being too blunt may also be perceived as lacking politeness, reflecting the balance between honesty and face-saving in social interactions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 干脆 with 直接 (zhí jiē), which also means 'direct.' However, 干脆 carries a nuance of simplicity and decisiveness that 直接 does not. For example, saying '他很直接' (Tā hěn zhí jiē) may imply honesty, but '他很干脆' (Tā hěn gān cuì) suggests a clear, no-nonsense approach.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 干脆
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Grammar Patterns of 干脆
干脆 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 5 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.
zhǎng quán de， ， zài zhè jiàn shì zhōng jí dú lì de diàn shì xié， huì ， gān cuì jīn bō le nà zé diàn shì。
The powers that be, in this case the independent Television Association, banned the advertisement altogether.
8
嗯，我想，反正我的工作已经丢了一半了，干脆一不做二不休，走人算了。
ňg， ， wǒ， xiǎng ， fǎn zhèng wǒ de gōng zuò yǐ jīng diū le yī， bàn le ， gān cuì yī bù zuò， èr bù xiū ，。
Well, I thought, I've already lost half my job, I might as well go the whole hog and lose it completely.
9
他为何不干脆把墙推倒？
tā wéi hé bù gān cuì bǎ qiáng tuī dǎo？
Why doesn't he just knock the wall down?
Cultural Notes for 干脆
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, being 干脆 can be appreciated in business negotiations, where clear and direct communication is valued. However, being too blunt may also be perceived as lacking politeness, reflecting the balance between honesty and face-saving in social interactions.
Frequently Asked Questions about 干脆
Yes, you can describe someone as 干脆 if they are known for being straightforward or blunt in their communication.
No, while it can imply bluntness, it is also used positively to indicate decisiveness and clarity.
