Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== jiéjìng: 捷径 - Shortcut, Expedient Path ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 捷径 meaning, jiejing, 走捷径, shortcut in Chinese, expedient, Chinese word for shortcut, how to use 捷径, Chinese culture hard work, quick path * **Summary:** Learn the meaning and use of 捷径 (jiéjìng), the Chinese word for "shortcut." This page explores its literal and figurative meanings, from finding a quicker route home to the cultural nuances of taking shortcuts in life, which can carry negative connotations of cutting corners. Discover how 走捷径 (zǒu jiéjìng) is used in daily conversation, business, and education, with ten practical example sentences and cultural insights for learners. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** jiéjìng * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 * **Concise Definition:** A shortcut; a quicker way of getting somewhere or doing something. * **In a Nutshell:** 捷径 refers to a path, method, or solution that saves time and effort by bypassing the usual, longer route. While it can be a neutral term for a physical shortcut, it often carries a slightly negative connotation in figurative contexts, implying laziness, a lack of thoroughness, or an attempt to avoid necessary hard work. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **捷 (jié):** This character means "quick," "swift," or "victorious." The left part, the hand radical (扌), suggests action. The right part provides the sound and contributes to a sense of speed. Think of it as a quick action with the hand. * **径 (jìng):** This character means "path," "way," or "trail." The left part, the step radical (彳), is associated with walking or movement. * Together, 捷径 (jiéjìng) literally translates to a "quick path," perfectly capturing the essence of a shortcut. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== In Chinese culture, which deeply values perseverance, diligence (勤奋 qínfèn), and following the proper steps (按部就班 àn bù jiù bān), the idea of a "捷径" can be viewed with suspicion. While Western, particularly American, culture often celebrates "life hacks" and "working smarter, not harder," taking a 捷径 in a Chinese context can imply that one is trying to avoid the character-building process of hard work. For example, in education or career development, saying someone is looking for a 捷径 often suggests they are unwilling to put in the necessary effort and are seeking an unearned advantage. It can be seen as a form of "投机取巧 (tóu jī qǔ qiǎo)," or opportunistic trickery. This is different from finding a more efficient method (一个更有效率的方法 yí ge gèng yǒu xiàolǜ de fāngfǎ), which is seen positively. The key difference lies in the intention: is it about genuine efficiency or about skipping essential steps and responsibilities? Therefore, while a physical shortcut is neutral, a figurative one requires careful consideration of the context. Praising someone for finding a "shortcut" at work might accidentally imply they cut corners. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== The term 捷径 is versatile and used in many modern contexts, with its connotation shifting based on the situation. * **Literal/Physical Paths (Neutral):** When talking about navigation, 捷径 is a completely neutral and common word. * //"我们走捷径穿过公园吧。" (Let's take a shortcut through the park.)// * **Learning and Skill Development (Often Negative):** This is where the negative connotation is strongest. It's a common trope that there are no shortcuts to mastering a skill or language. * //"学中文没有什么捷径，只能靠多听多说。" (There are no shortcuts to learning Chinese; you can only rely on listening and speaking a lot.)// * **Career and Success (Negative/Suspicious):** Suggesting someone took a shortcut to success can imply they used connections (关系 guānxi) unethically or cheated their way to the top. * //"他不想努力，总想着找成功的捷径。" (He doesn't want to work hard and is always thinking about finding a shortcut to success.)// * **Technology and Efficiency (Positive/Neutral):** In the context of technology or process improvement, 捷径 can be used more positively, similar to "life hack" or an efficient solution. * //"使用这个软件是提高我们工作效率的捷径。" (Using this software is a shortcut to improving our work efficiency.)// The most common way to use it is in the phrase **走捷径 (zǒu jiéjìng)**, which means "to take a shortcut." ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 为了早点回家，我们决定走一条**捷径**。 * Pinyin: Wèile zǎodiǎn huíjiā, wǒmen juédìng zǒu yì tiáo **jiéjìng**. * English: In order to get home earlier, we decided to take a shortcut. * Analysis: A very common and literal usage. The connotation here is completely neutral. * **Example 2:** * 老师告诉我们，学习知识没有**捷径**可走。 * Pinyin: Lǎoshī gàosù wǒmen, xuéxí zhīshì méiyǒu **jiéjìng** kě zǒu. * English: The teacher told us that there are no shortcuts in acquiring knowledge. * Analysis: This is a classic example of the term's negative or cautionary figurative meaning in an educational context. * **Example 3:** * 他以为跟老板搞好关系是升职的**捷径**，结果被大家看不起。 * Pinyin: Tā yǐwéi gēn lǎobǎn gǎohǎo guānxì shì shēngzhí de **jiéjìng**, jiéguǒ bèi dàjiā kànbuqǐ. * English: He thought that building a good relationship with the boss was a shortcut to promotion, but as a result, he was looked down upon by everyone. * Analysis: This sentence clearly shows the negative connotation of using unethical or lazy methods for personal gain. * **Example 4:** * 对我来说，用模板是快速完成报告的一个**捷径**。 * Pinyin: Duì wǒ lái shuō, yòng móbǎn shì kuàisù wánchéng bàogào de yí ge **jiéjìng**. * English: For me, using a template is a shortcut to finishing the report quickly. * Analysis: Here, the connotation is positive. It's about efficiency and being smart, not about cheating or skipping essential work. This is similar to the English "life hack." * **Example 5:** * 你知道去火车站有**捷径**吗？ * Pinyin: Nǐ zhīdào qù huǒchēzhàn yǒu **jiéjìng** ma? * English: Do you know if there's a shortcut to the train station? * Analysis: A simple, practical question using the literal meaning of the word. * **Example 6:** * 很多人梦想找到致富的**捷径**，但那往往是陷阱。 * Pinyin: Hěn duō rén mèngxiǎng zhǎodào zhìfù de **jiéjìng**, dàn nà wǎngwǎng shì xiànjǐng. * English: Many people dream of finding a shortcut to wealth, but that is often a trap. * Analysis: This highlights the cultural suspicion towards "get-rich-quick" schemes, framing shortcuts as dangerous. * **Example 7:** * 这条新修的公路是连接两个城市的**捷径**。 * Pinyin: Zhè tiáo xīn xiū de gōnglù shì liánjiē liǎng ge chéngshì de **jiéjìng**. * English: This newly built highway is a shortcut connecting the two cities. * Analysis: A neutral, descriptive use in the context of infrastructure and travel. * **Example 8:** * 不要总想着走**捷径**，你应该一步一个脚印地去努力。 * Pinyin: Búyào zǒng xiǎngzhe zǒu **jiéjìng**, nǐ yīnggāi yí bù yí ge jiǎoyìn de qù nǔlì. * English: Don't always think about taking shortcuts; you should work hard step by step. * Analysis: This sentence uses the common phrase 走捷径 (zǒu jiéjìng) and contrasts it with the idiom 一步一个脚印 (yí bù yí ge jiǎoyìn - one step, one footprint), which emphasizes steady, honest effort. * **Example 9:** * 在某些紧急情况下，我们不得不寻找一个**捷径**来解决问题。 * Pinyin: Zài mǒuxiē jǐnjí qíngkuàng xià, wǒmen bùdébù xúnzhǎo yí ge **jiéjìng** lái jiějué wèntí. * English: In certain emergencies, we have no choice but to find a shortcut to solve the problem. * Analysis: This shows a more nuanced, pragmatic use. The shortcut is not ideal but necessary due to circumstances. * **Example 10:** * 他通过大量阅读来理解文化，这可以说是了解一个国家最有效的**捷径**。 * Pinyin: Tā tōngguò dàliàng yuèdú lái lǐjiě wénhuà, zhè kěyǐ shuō shì liǎojiě yí ge guójiā zuì yǒuxiào de **jiéjìng**. * English: He understands the culture through extensive reading, which you could say is the most effective shortcut to understanding a country. * Analysis: This example frames 捷径 in a very positive light, meaning a highly effective and intelligent method, not a lazy one. The context of "effective" (有效) makes the meaning clear. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **Assuming it's always positive:** The biggest mistake for English speakers is to equate 捷径 with the positive-only "life hack" or "smart solution." In Chinese, its default figurative connotation leans towards negative (cutting corners, laziness) unless the context strongly suggests otherwise (e.g., by adding words like "effective" or "smart"). * **Confusing 捷径 (jiéjìng) with 方法 (fāngfǎ):** * **捷径 (jiéjìng)** is a specific *type* of method that bypasses normal steps. * **方法 (fāngfǎ)** is a general term for "method" or "way." It's neutral. * Incorrect: //学习中文最好的捷径是什么？ (What is the best shortcut to learn Chinese?)// - This sounds like you want to avoid hard work. * Correct: //学习中文最好的方法是什么？ (What is the best method to learn Chinese?)// - This is a much better and more respectful question. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * **[[zoujiejing|走捷径 (zǒu jiéjìng)]]** - The most common verb phrase, "to take a shortcut." It carries all the same connotations as the noun itself. * **[[jinlu|近路 (jìnlù)]]** - A close synonym meaning "short route." It is used almost exclusively for physical paths and rarely in a figurative sense. * **[[toujiquqiao|投机取巧 (tóu jī qǔ qiǎo)]]** - A highly negative idiom meaning to seize an opportunity for trickery or personal gain. This is the extreme, unethical version of taking a shortcut. * **[[shibangongbei|事半功倍 (shì bàn gōng bèi)]]** - An idiom meaning "half the work, twice the results." This describes a positive outcome of finding an intelligent and efficient method, which is the admirable goal that taking a "shortcut" often fails to achieve. * **[[anbujiuban|按部就班 (àn bù jiù bān)]]** - A formal idiom meaning to follow the prescribed order, step-by-step. It is the direct antonym of 走捷径 and embodies the cultural value of diligence and process. * **[[fangfa|方法 (fāngfǎ)]]** - A neutral term for "method" or "way." * **[[jiqiao|技巧 (jìqiǎo)]]** - "Skill" or "technique." This is something you gain through practice and hard work, the opposite of a shortcut.