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. ====== juéduì: 绝对 - Absolute, Absolutely, Definite ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 绝对, juéduì, juedui, what does juedui mean, absolute in Chinese, how to say absolutely in Chinese, Chinese grammar, Chinese adverbs, HSK 4 vocabulary, certainty in Mandarin, 绝对的 * **Summary:** Learn the meaning and usage of the powerful Chinese word **绝对 (juéduì)**. This page breaks down "juéduì", which means "absolute" or "absolutely," for beginner and intermediate learners. Discover its cultural context, see 10 practical example sentences, and understand common mistakes to avoid so you can express unwavering certainty and emphasis like a native speaker. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** juéduì * **Part of Speech:** Adverb, Adjective * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 * **Concise Definition:** Without any doubt, condition, or exception; total and complete. * **In a Nutshell:** **绝对 (juéduì)** is the word you use to turn the certainty dial up to 100%. It removes all doubt and expresses an idea or quality in its most extreme, unconditional form. Think of it as adding a powerful, definitive underline to your statement. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **绝 (jué):** This character is composed of the silk radical (糸) and a component that historically relates to cutting or a knot. Its core meaning is "to cut off," which extends to ideas like "to terminate," "utmost," or "extreme." In **绝对**, it means cutting off all other possibilities. * **对 (duì):** This character means "correct," "right," or "to face." It signifies something that is proper or accurate. * When combined, **绝对 (juéduì)** literally means "cutting off [anything that is not] correct." This creates a powerful sense of something being uniquely and unchallengeably right, hence, "absolute." ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== In many Western cultures, especially in professional or academic settings, people often use hedging language like "I think," "it seems," or "perhaps" to soften their statements. Using absolute terms can sometimes be seen as overly aggressive or simplistic. In Chinese culture, while indirectness (**委婉 - wěiwǎn**) is highly valued in many social situations, **绝对 (juéduì)** serves a crucial purpose: to eliminate all ambiguity. When a situation demands clarity, a promise needs to be firm, or a belief is deeply held, using **绝对** is a way to convey seriousness and conviction. It signals that there is no room for negotiation or doubt. A parent telling a child, "**绝对**不行! (Absolutely not!)" is communicating a hard, unchangeable boundary, not just a casual suggestion. Understanding when to be direct with **绝对** is as important as knowing when to be indirect. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **绝对** is a versatile word used in various contexts, from casual chats to formal documents. * **As an Adverb (Most Common):** Placed before a verb or adjective to mean "absolutely" or "definitely." * e.g., 这家餐厅的菜**绝对**好吃。(The food at this restaurant is absolutely delicious.) * e.g., 我**绝对**不会告诉你。(I will absolutely not tell you.) * **As an Adjective:** Placed before a noun to mean "absolute." This is slightly more formal. * e.g., 我们拥有**绝对**优势。(We have an absolute advantage.) * e.g., 没有**绝对**的真理。(There is no absolute truth.) * **As a Standalone Response:** Used colloquially as **绝对的 (juéduì de)** to mean "Absolutely!" or "You bet!" * A: 你觉得他能赢吗？ (Do you think he can win?) * B: **绝对的**！(Absolutely!) ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 这**绝对**是今年最好看的电影。 * Pinyin: Zhè **juéduì** shì jīnnián zuì hǎokàn de diànyǐng. * English: This is absolutely the best movie of the year. * Analysis: Here, **绝对** is used as an adverb to strongly emphasize the adjective "best" (最好). It conveys a very strong, enthusiastic personal opinion. * **Example 2:** * 请放心，我们会对您的信息**绝对**保密。 * Pinyin: Qǐng fàngxīn, wǒmen huì duì nín de xìnxī **juéduì** bǎomì. * English: Please rest assured, we will keep your information absolutely confidential. * Analysis: This is a common phrase in a formal or business context. **绝对** adds a layer of guarantee and professionalism to the promise of confidentiality. * **Example 3:** * 他**绝对**不知道这个计划，我们从来没告诉过他。 * Pinyin: Tā **juéduì** bù zhīdào zhège jìhuà, wǒmen cónglái méi gàosùguò tā. * English: He absolutely does not know about this plan; we never told him. * Analysis: **绝对** is frequently paired with **不 (bù)** or **没 (méi)** to form a strong negation: "absolutely not." * **Example 4:** * 在这个问题上，我们有**绝对**的发言权。 * Pinyin: Zài zhège wèntí shàng, wǒmen yǒu **juéduì** de fāyánquán. * English: On this issue, we have the absolute right to speak. * Analysis: Here, **绝对** is used as an adjective modifying the noun "right to speak" (发言权). It implies an unconditional and non-negotiable right. * **Example 5:** * A: 你明天会来参加派对吗？ (Will you come to the party tomorrow?) * B: **绝对的**！不见不散！ (Absolutely! Be there or be square!) * Pinyin: A: Nǐ míngtiān huì lái cānjiā pàiduì ma? B: **Juéduì de**! Bùjiàn bùsàn! * English: A: Will you come to the party tomorrow? B: Absolutely! See you there! * Analysis: This shows the common informal usage of **绝对的 (juéduì de)** as a standalone, enthusiastic confirmation. * **Example 6:** * 世界上没有**绝对**的公平。 * Pinyin: Shìjiè shàng méiyǒu **juéduì** de gōngpíng. * English: There is no absolute fairness in the world. * Analysis: This is a more philosophical use of **绝对** as an adjective, discussing an abstract concept ("fairness"). * **Example 7:** * 要在截止日期前完成这个项目是**绝对**不可能的。 * Pinyin: Yào zài jiézhǐ rìqī qián wánchéng zhège xiàngmù shì **juéduì** bù kěnéng de. * English: It is absolutely impossible to finish this project before the deadline. * Analysis: This structure emphasizes impossibility. **绝对** strengthens the phrase **不可能 (bù kěnéng)**, leaving no room for hope or negotiation. * **Example 8:** * 他的成功不是偶然的，而是他**绝对**努力的结果。 * Pinyin: Tā de chénggōng bùshì ǒurán de, érshì tā **juéduì** nǔlì de jiéguǒ. * English: His success is not accidental, but rather the result of his absolute hard work. * Analysis: The use of **绝对** here before "hard work" (努力) is a slight exaggeration for emphasis, meaning "extreme" or "utmost" effort. * **Example 9:** * 你**绝对**想不到我今天遇见谁了！ * Pinyin: Nǐ **juéduì** xiǎngbùdào wǒ jīntiān yùjiàn shéi le! * English: You would absolutely never guess who I met today! * Analysis: A very common conversational pattern used to build excitement and suspense. **绝对** emphasizes the surprising nature of the event. * **Example 10:** * 在博物馆里，**绝对**禁止触摸展品。 * Pinyin: Zài bówùguǎn lǐ, **juéduì** jìnzhǐ chùmō zhǎnpǐn. * English: Inside the museum, it is absolutely forbidden to touch the exhibits. * Analysis: Used in rules and regulations, **绝对** communicates a strict, non-negotiable prohibition. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **Overuse Can Sound Arrogant:** While powerful, peppering every sentence with **绝对** can make you sound naive, arrogant, or like you're exaggerating. In reality, few things are truly "absolute." It's best reserved for when you want to make a very strong, deliberate point. * **Subjective vs. Objective Claims:** Be careful when stating a subjective opinion as an absolute fact. Saying "**绝对**是最好看的电影" (This is absolutely the best movie) is fine for casual talk, but in a more serious discussion, it's often better to say "我**觉得**这是最好看的电影" (I think this is the best movie). Using **绝对** can shut down discussion, while **觉得 (juéde)** invites it. * **False Friend: "Absolutely"**: In English, "Absolutely!" can be a light, breezy, and positive agreement. In Chinese, **绝对的! (juéduì de!)** can carry a bit more weight and intensity. It feels more definitive and less casual than its English counterpart. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[肯定]] (kěndìng) - Sure, definite, to affirm. It expresses a high degree of confidence (like 95%), but is slightly less powerful and "final" than **绝对** (100%). * [[一定]] (yīdìng) - Must, surely, certainly. Often implies a high probability, a promise, or an obligation. It's about what is bound to happen, while **绝对** is about the nature of a thing itself. * [[完全]] (wánquán) - Completely, totally. This term focuses on the entirety or completeness of something (e.g., "I completely forgot"), whereas **绝对** focuses on the certainty or truth of a statement. * [[当然]] (dāngrán) - Of course, naturally. Used when something is obvious or self-evident. It answers the "why" with "because it's just the way it is." * [[确实]] (quèshí) - Indeed, really. Used to confirm a fact that has been mentioned or is already known, adding agreement. * [[百分之百]] (bǎifēnzhībǎi) - One hundred percent. A literal and often numerical way to express the same idea as **绝对**. * [[毫无疑问]] (háowú yíwèn) - Without a doubt. A common four-character idiom (chengyu) that functions as a more formal or literary synonym for **绝对**.