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Chinese vocabulary · Beginner
How do you say "explain" in Chinese?
解释一下
jiě shì yī xià
In Chinese, "explain" is 解释一下 (jiě shì yī xià).
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Pronunciation
The pinyin jiě shì yī xià calls for "jiě" dipped low then curled back up (third tone), then "shì" snapped down sharply (fourth tone), then "yī" held flat and high (first tone), then "xià" snapped down sharply (fourth tone).
Writing and usage
解释一下 is written using hanzi. It's a verb, part of the vocabulary taught in the Noun Town language learning game.
Example sentence
你能解释一下这个词吗？
nǐ néng jiě shì yī xià zhè ge cí ma ？
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How to remember 解释一下
Say "jiě shì yī xià" and picture explain at the exact same moment — that snapshot is your anchor for the word.
Related words
Browse all Chinese words in the glossary.
Questions about 解释一下
How do you pronounce 解释一下?
The pinyin jiě shì yī xià calls for "jiě" dipped low then curled back up (third tone), then "shì" snapped down sharply (fourth tone), then "yī" held flat and high (first tone), then "xià" snapped down sharply (fourth tone).
Is 解释一下 formal or casual?
解释一下 is a neutral, everyday word that works in both casual and polite speech.
How is 解释一下 used in Chinese?
解释一下 is used the same way as the equivalent English verb. For example: 你能解释一下这个词吗？ (Can you explain this word?).
Where can I practice Chinese words for free?
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"Explain" in other languages
Curated by Callan Ratcliffe
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