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. ====== jīliè: 激烈 - Intense, Fierce, Heated ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 激烈, jīliè, jilie, what does jilie mean, Chinese for intense, Chinese for fierce, intense competition in Chinese, heated debate, Chinese vocabulary HSK 4, learn Chinese online. * **Summary:** Learn the meaning and use of **激烈 (jīliè)**, a common Chinese adjective essential for describing any situation that is "intense," "fierce," or "heated." From intense competition in business and sports to a heated debate among friends, this guide breaks down **jīliè** with practical examples, cultural insights, and common mistakes to help you master this HSK 4 vocabulary word. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** jīliè * **Part of Speech:** Adjective * **HSK Level:** 4 * **Concise Definition:** Describes a situation, action, or competition as intense, fierce, vehement, or sharp. * **In a Nutshell:** **激烈 (jīliè)** captures the feeling of high-energy, dynamic conflict or confrontation. It's not just "strong"; it implies a clash of forces. Think of a nail-biting soccer final, a fiery political argument, or cut-throat market competition. If two or more opposing sides are going at it with great energy, the situation is **激烈**. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **激 (jī):** This character means "to stir up," "to stimulate," or "to surge." The left-side radical `氵` (shuǐ) represents water. The right side provides the sound. You can think of **激** as the image of water being agitated and surging powerfully. * **烈 (liè):** This character means "fierce," "ardent," "vehement," or "unyielding." The bottom radical `灬` (huǒ) is a form of the character for fire. You can visualize **烈** as a scorching, intense fire. * When combined, **激烈 (jīliè)** creates a vivid elemental picture: surging water crashing against a scorching fire. This powerful imagery of two opposing natural forces clashing perfectly conveys the word's meaning of intensity, fierceness, and conflict. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * In China, the concept of **激烈竞争 (jīliè jìngzhēng) - fierce competition** - is a cornerstone of modern life. It's deeply felt in many areas, most notably: 1. **Education:** The national college entrance exam, the **高考 (gāokǎo)**, is famously **激烈**, with millions of students competing for a limited number of university spots. 2. **Business:** The market economy has led to incredibly **激烈** competition between companies, both domestic and international. * **Comparison with "Intense":** While "intense" in English can describe an internal feeling ("I feel intense pressure") or a static quality ("an intense color"), **激烈** almost always describes an external, dynamic situation involving opposition. You would not say "I feel `激烈`" (我感觉激烈). Instead, **激烈** describes the //situation// that might make you feel **紧张 (jǐnzhāng) - tense or nervous**. A basketball game is **激烈**; the fans watching it are **紧张**. This distinction is crucial for using the word correctly. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * **激烈** is a common and versatile adjective used across various contexts. Its connotation (positive or negative) depends entirely on the situation. * **In Competitions (比赛 bǐsài) & Sports (体育 tǐyù):** * Used to describe any contest that is close, hard-fought, and exciting. Here, it has a positive and exciting connotation. * Example: 一场**激烈**的足球比赛 (yī chǎng **jīliè** de zúqiú bǐsài) - an intense soccer match. * **In Arguments & Debates (争论 zhēnglùn):** * Used to describe a debate, argument, or discussion that is heated and passionate. It's neutral to slightly negative, depending on whether the argument is productive or just angry. * Example: 他们发生了**激烈**的争论 (tāmen fāshēngle **jīliè** de zhēnglùn) - They got into a heated argument. * **In Business & Economics (商业 shāngyè):** * This is one of the most common uses. It describes fierce market competition. The connotation is neutral—it's simply a fact of business. * Example: 手机市场的竞争非常**激烈** (shǒujī shìchǎng de jìngzhēng fēicháng **jīliè**) - The competition in the smartphone market is extremely fierce. * **In Describing Reactions or Actions:** * It can also describe the intensity of an action, such as applause or opposition. * Example: **激烈**的掌声 (jīliè de zhǎngshēng) - rapturous/intense applause. * Example: **激烈**的反对 (jīliè de fǎnduì) - vehement opposition. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 这是一场非常**激烈**的篮球比赛。 * Pinyin: Zhè shì yī chǎng fēicháng **jīliè** de lánqiú bǐsài. * English: This is a very intense basketball game. * Analysis: A classic and straightforward use of **激烈** to describe a competitive sporting event. * **Example 2:** * 两个候选人之间展开了**激烈**的辩论。 * Pinyin: Liǎng gè hòuxuǎnrén zhī jiān zhǎnkāi le **jīliè** de biànlùn. * English: A heated debate unfolded between the two candidates. * Analysis: Here, **激烈** describes the confrontational and passionate nature of the debate. * **Example 3:** * 在中国，找一份好工作的竞争很**激烈**。 * Pinyin: Zài Zhōngguó, zhǎo yī fèn hǎo gōngzuò de jìngzhēng hěn **jīliè**. * English: In China, the competition for finding a good job is very fierce. * Analysis: This sentence reflects the cultural reality of the highly competitive job market in China. * **Example 4:** * 他们的意见不同，导致了**激烈**的冲突。 * Pinyin: Tāmen de yìjiàn bùtóng, dǎozhìle **jīliè** de chōngtū. * English: Their different opinions led to a fierce conflict. * Analysis: **激烈** here has a negative connotation, describing a conflict that has become sharp and confrontational. * **Example 5:** * 他的演讲赢得了观众**激烈**的掌声。 * Pinyin: Tā de yǎnjiǎng yíngdéle guānzhòng **jīliè** de zhǎngshēng. * English: His speech won intense applause from the audience. * Analysis: This shows how **激烈** can describe a strong, energetic, and positive reaction. It's more powerful than just "loud applause." * **Example 6:** * 该计划遭到了环保人士的**激烈**反对。 * Pinyin: Gāi jìhuà zāodào le huánbǎo rénshì de **jīliè** fǎnduì. * English: The plan met with vehement opposition from environmentalists. * Analysis: **激烈** modifies "opposition" (反对) to show that it was strong, active, and unyielding. * **Example 7:** * 随着价格战越来越**激烈**，许多小公司倒闭了。 * Pinyin: Suízhe jiàgézhàn yuèláiyuè **jīliè**, xǔduō xiǎo gōngsī dǎobì le. * English: As the price war became more and more intense, many small companies went out of business. * Analysis: This example highlights the use of **激烈** in a business context, describing the "war-like" intensity of competition. * **Example 8:** * 战斗进行得非常**激烈**，双方伤亡惨重。 * Pinyin: Zhàndòu jìnxíng de fēicháng **jīliè**, shuāngfāng shāngwáng cǎnzhòng. * English: The battle was extremely fierce, with heavy casualties on both sides. * Analysis: In a military context, **激烈** describes the violence and intensity of combat. * **Example 9:** * 面对**激烈**的市场竞争，我们必须创新。 * Pinyin: Miànduì **jīliè** de shìchǎng jìngzhēng, wǒmen bìxū chuàngxīn. * English: Facing a fiercely competitive market, we must innovate. * Analysis: A very common and practical sentence you might hear in a Chinese company meeting. * **Example 10:** * 两支队伍经过**激烈**角逐，最终打成了平局。 * Pinyin: Liǎng zhī duìwǔ jīngguò **jīliè** jiǎozhú, zuìzhōng dǎ chéng le píngjú. * English: After a fierce contest, the two teams ended up in a draw. * Analysis: **角逐 (jiǎozhú)** means "to contend" or "to wrestle for." Paired with **激烈**, it paints a picture of a hard-fought struggle. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **"Intense" vs. "激烈":** The most common mistake is to use **激烈** for internal feelings or static qualities. * **Incorrect:** 我今天感觉很**激烈**。 (Wǒ jīntiān gǎnjué hěn jīliè.) * **Why it's wrong:** This means "I feel fierce/vehement today." It sounds very strange. You're describing your internal state, not a conflict. * **Correct:** 我今天压力很大。(Wǒ jīntiān yālì hěn dà.) - I'm under a lot of pressure today. / 我今天很紧张。(Wǒ jīntiān hěn jǐnzhāng.) - I'm very nervous today. * **"Strong" vs. "激烈":** Do not use **激烈** to describe the strength of an object or flavor. * **Incorrect:** 这杯酒很**激烈**。 (Zhè bēi jiǔ hěn jīliè.) * **Why it's wrong:** This means "This alcohol is fierce/contentious." It doesn't make sense. * **Correct:** 这杯酒很**烈**。 (Zhè bēi jiǔ hěn liè.) - This alcohol is strong. (Note: you can use the single character **烈** here!) Or, 这杯咖啡很**浓** (zhè bēi kāfēi hěn nóng) - This coffee is strong. * **Key takeaway:** Always ask yourself: "Does this situation involve two or more opposing forces in a dynamic clash?" If yes, **激烈** is likely the right word. If not, consider other words like [[强烈]] (qiángliè - strong), [[紧张]] (jǐnzhāng - tense), or [[浓]] (nóng - concentrated/strong flavor). ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[竞争]] (jìngzhēng) - Competition. The most common noun that **激烈** modifies. The phrase `激烈竞争` (fierce competition) is a set phrase. * [[强烈]] (qiángliè) - Strong; intense; distinct. Used for feelings, desires, opinions, or physical forces like sunlight. It describes magnitude, while **激烈** describes conflict. (e.g., `强烈的愿望` - a strong desire). * [[紧张]] (jǐnzhāng) - Tense; nervous. This is often the //feeling// a person has when they are in a **激烈** situation. The competition is **激烈**; the people are **紧张**. * [[猛烈]] (měngliè) - Fierce; violent. Similar to **激烈** but often implies more physical violence or sudden force. Used for attacks, storms, or firepower (`猛烈的火力`). It's more aggressive than **激烈**. * [[热情]] (rèqíng) - Enthusiastic; passionate. A type of positive intensity related to warmth and eagerness, not conflict. You can have a **热情** welcome, but a **激烈** debate. * [[残酷]] (cánkù) - Cruel; brutal. A competition can be both **激烈** and **残酷**. **残酷** focuses on the merciless and unforgiving outcome of the competition. * [[争论]] (zhēnglùn) - To argue; a dispute. A noun/verb that is often described as being **激烈**. * [[冲突]] (chōngtū) - Conflict; to clash. Another noun that is frequently described as being **激烈**.