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March 24, 2026
间接(間接)jiànjiē(jian4jie1)
间接 (jiànjiē) means 'indirect' and is commonly used to describe situations or methods that are not straightforward or direct. This term can be used in various contexts, such as communication, relationships, or effects, to imply something that occurs through an intermediary rather than directly.
Frequency#10316DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, indirect communication is often preferred in social interactions, as it reflects politeness and respect for others' feelings. Knowing when and how to use 间接 can enhance your social skills and help you navigate complex conversations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'jam' (sounds like '间') in a 'jelly' (sounds like '接') factory. Instead of delivering jelly directly, the workers must go through a maze of jars to get it out. This visual can help you remember that '间接' means 'indirect', as it illustrates the roundabout way of doing something.
Meanings of 间接
jiànjiē(jian4jie1)
1indirect
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 间接
间接Simplified
間接Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
区别词distinguishing word (dist.)Part of Speech
#10316Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 间接
Podcast: 间接
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AI Study Notes for 间接
Quick Contrast
直接 (zhíjiē) - use 直接 when referring to something that is straightforward or direct, in contrast to 间接 which implies a more roundabout approach.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'jam' (sounds like '间') in a 'jelly' (sounds like '接') factory. Instead of delivering jelly directly, the workers must go through a maze of jars to get it out. This visual can help you remember that '间接' means 'indirect', as it illustrates the roundabout way of doing something.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the context when using 间接, as it can sometimes carry a negative connotation, implying lack of honesty or clarity. It's often used in both formal and informal settings, but ensure that the tone matches the situation—such as in academic discussions or casual conversations. Common collocations include '间接影响' (indirect influence) and '间接证据' (indirect evidence).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 间接 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to communication and relationships. Students should focus on understanding its applications in various contexts and practice using it in sentences to solidify their grasp of its nuances.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, indirect communication is often preferred in social interactions, as it reflects politeness and respect for others' feelings. Knowing when and how to use 间接 can enhance your social skills and help you navigate complex conversations.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 间接 with 直接 in their sentences, leading to phrases like '我直接告诉他' (I indirectly told him). The correct usage would be '我间接告诉他' to convey the intended meaning of indirect communication.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 间接
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Grammar Patterns of 间接
间接 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
的确，她的死是我____造成的。我不该把她留在那里。
Indirectly, I did cause her death. I shouldn'thave left her there.
Example Sentences for 间接 (5)
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1
的确，她的死是我间接造成的。我不该把她留在那里。
de què， ， tā de sǐ shì wǒ jiān jiē zào chéng。 de 。 wǒ bù gāi bǎ tā liú zài。
Indirectly, I did cause her death. I shouldn'thave left her there.
2
企业感受到了别处经济衰退带来的间接影响。
qǐ yè gǎn shòu dào le bié chǔ jīng jì shuāi tuì dài lái de jiān jiē yǐng xiǎng。
Businesses are feeling the indirect effects from the recession that'sgoing on elsewhere.
Solid polyester version is direct female slice of seihan without intermediate step.
5
总统由议会间接选出。
zǒng tǒng yóu yì huì jiān jiē xuǎn chū。
The president is indirectly elected by parliament.
Cultural Notes for 间接
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, indirect communication is often preferred in social interactions, as it reflects politeness and respect for others' feelings. Knowing when and how to use 间接 can enhance your social skills and help you navigate complex conversations.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, directness is often valued in communication, while in Chinese culture, being indirect can be seen as more tactful and considerate.
Frequently Asked Questions about 间接
Use 间接 when referring to situations that are not straightforward or involve intermediaries, while 直接 should be used for direct actions or communication.
Yes, 间接 can be used in both contexts, but adjust your tone to fit the situation appropriately.
Common phrases include '间接影响' (indirect influence) and '间接证明' (indirect proof).
