jiějué: 解决 - To Solve, To Resolve, To Settle

• Keywords: jiějué, 解决, how to say solve in Chinese, resolve a problem Chinese, settle a dispute Chinese, Chinese word for solution, jiějué meaning, 解决问题, 解决办法, HSK 3 vocabulary
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese verb 解决 (jiějué), which means “to solve,” “to resolve,” or “to settle.” This page will break down its characters, cultural importance, and practical use in daily conversation, business, and technology. Discover how to use 解决 to talk about finding solutions to problems, from simple technical glitches to complex personal disagreements, making it a cornerstone of practical, everyday Mandarin.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jiějué
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: To solve a problem or resolve a dispute, finding a final and effective solution.
• In a Nutshell: 解决 (jiějué) is your go-to word for “solving” things in Chinese. Think of it as untying a complicated knot. It’s not just about trying to fix something; it implies reaching a conclusive, successful outcome. Whether you're fixing a computer, settling an argument, or tackling a major social issue, 解决 is the word you use when you want to talk about finding the definitive answer or fix.

• 解 (jiě): This character originally depicted the act of untying something, particularly the horns of a bull with a knife. By itself, it means “to untie,” “to unfasten,” or “to explain.” Think of it as the “unraveling” part of solving a problem.
• 决 (jué): This character means “to decide” or “to determine.” The water radical (氵) on the left can suggest a breach or a breaking point, like a dam bursting, leading to a decisive, irreversible outcome.
• When you combine 解 (to untie) and 决 (to decide), you get 解决 (jiějué). The meaning is beautifully logical: to “decisively untie” a problem, leaving no loose ends. It’s about taking definitive action to unravel a complex situation.

In Chinese culture, there's a strong emphasis on pragmatism and achieving tangible results. The phrase 解决问题 (jiějué wèntí), “to solve a problem,” is not just a common collocation; it's a cultural value. It reflects a proactive, results-oriented mindset that is highly prized in both personal and professional spheres. This can be contrasted with some Western approaches that might focus more on “processing” an issue or “working through” feelings. While those aspects aren't absent in Chinese culture, 解决 points directly to the end goal: the resolution. The priority is often to restore harmony and functionality by finding a practical solution efficiently. You don't just talk about the problem; you take action to make it go away. This is crucial for maintaining social harmony (和谐, héxié) and giving “face” (面子, miànzi) by showing competence and reliability.

解决 is a versatile and common verb used across all registers, from casual chat to formal government reports.

• In Technology and Business: It's used constantly. “We need to solve this bug” (解决这个bug), or “Have you found a solution?” (你找到解决办法了吗?). It implies a complete fix, not a temporary workaround.
• In Daily Life: You can use it for everyday problems. “How are we going to solve the problem of dinner tonight?” (晚饭的问题怎么解决?) or “We finally settled our misunderstanding” (我们终于解决了我们的误会).
• In Formal Contexts: In news and politics, it's used for large-scale issues. “The government is seeking to resolve the unemployment issue” (政府正在寻求解决失业问题).

Its connotation is almost always positive and proactive. Successfully “solving” something is a mark of capability.

• Example 1:
  • 这个问题必须马上解决。
  • Pinyin: Zhè ge wèntí bìxū mǎshàng jiějué.
  • English: This problem must be solved immediately.
  • Analysis: A very common and direct usage. 必须 (bìxū) adds a sense of urgency and obligation. This is a typical sentence you might hear in a work environment.
• Example 2:
  • 谢谢你，你帮我解决了一个大麻烦。
  • Pinyin: Xièxie nǐ, nǐ bāng wǒ jiějué le yí ge dà máfan.
  • English: Thank you, you helped me solve a big problem.
  • Analysis: Here, 解决 is used to express gratitude for resolving a “trouble” or “hassle” (麻烦, máfan). The 了 (le) indicates the completion of the action.
• Example 3:
  • 我们正在寻找一个最好的解决方案。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen zhèngzài xúnzhǎo yí ge zuì hǎo de jiějué fāng'àn.
  • English: We are currently looking for the best solution.
  • Analysis: 解决方案 (jiějué fāng'àn) is a key noun phrase meaning “solution plan” or “scheme.” This is standard business and technical language.
• Example 4:
  • 钱不能解决所有的问题。
  • Pinyin: Qián bù néng jiějué suǒyǒu de wèntí.
  • English: Money can't solve all problems.
  • Analysis: A philosophical and common saying. It shows that 解决 applies to both concrete and abstract “problems” (问题, wèntí).
• Example 5:
  • 客户投诉已经被圆满解决了。
  • Pinyin: Kèhù tóusù yǐjīng bèi yuánmǎn jiějué le.
  • English: The customer complaint has already been resolved satisfactorily.
  • Analysis: This example uses the passive voice with 被 (bèi). The adverb 圆满 (yuánmǎn), meaning “satisfactorily” or “perfectly,” is often paired with 解决 to emphasize a smooth and successful resolution.
• Example 6:
  • 如果我们不沟通，这个矛盾是无法解决的。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ wǒmen bù gōutōng, zhè ge máodùn shì wúfǎ jiějué de.
  • English: If we don't communicate, this conflict cannot be resolved.
  • Analysis: This shows 解决 being used for interpersonal issues like a “conflict” or “contradiction” (矛盾, máodùn). 无法 (wúfǎ) means “to be unable to,” a formal way of saying “can't.”
• Example 7:
  • 他很聪明，总能想出办法来解决难题。
  • Pinyin: Tā hěn cōngming, zǒng néng xiǎng chū bànfǎ lái jiějué nántí.
  • English: He is very smart and can always think of a way to solve difficult problems.
  • Analysis: 难题 (nántí) specifically means a “difficult problem” or “challenge.” The phrase 想出办法来 (xiǎng chū bànfǎ lái), “to think up a method,” is a perfect lead-in to 解决.
• Example 8:
  • 这个软件更新解决了几个已知的安全漏洞。
  • Pinyin: Zhè ge ruǎnjiàn gēngxīn jiějué le jǐ ge yǐ zhī de ānquán lòudòng.
  • English: This software update resolved several known security vulnerabilities.
  • Analysis: A great example from the world of technology. It shows how 解决 is the standard term for fixing bugs or “vulnerabilities” (漏洞, lòudòng).
• Example 9:
  • 政府承诺会解决交通拥堵问题。
  • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ chéngnuò huì jiějué jiāotōng yōngdǔ wèntí.
  • English: The government promised it will solve the problem of traffic congestion.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates the use of 解决 for large-scale, societal issues like “traffic congestion” (交通拥堵, jiāotōng yōngdǔ).
• Example 10:
  • 你有什么好的解决办法吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ yǒu shénme hǎo de jiějué bànfǎ ma?
  • English: Do you have any good solutions?
  • Analysis: 解决办法 (jiějué bànfǎ) is a very common noun phrase meaning “solution” or “way to solve something.” This is a practical question you can use in many situations.

A frequent mistake for English speakers is to confuse 解决 (jiějué) with 回答 (huídá).

• 解决 (jiějué): To solve a problem. Problems are complex situations that require a solution or a fix.
• 回答 (huídá): To answer a question. Questions are inquiries that require information.

You solve a math problem, but you answer a question about the formula.

• Incorrect: 你能解决我的问题吗？我的名字叫什么？(Nǐ néng jiějué wǒ de wèntí ma? Wǒ de míngzi jiào shénme?) - This sounds very strange, as you are asking someone to “solve” a simple question.
• Correct: 你能回答我的问题吗？我的名字叫什么？(Nǐ néng huídá wǒ de wèntí ma? Wǒ de míngzi jiào shénme?) - Can you answer my question? What is my name?
• Correct: 你能帮我解决一个问题吗？我的电脑坏了。(Nǐ néng bāng wǒ jiějué yí ge wèntí ma? Wǒ de diànnǎo huài le.) - Can you help me solve a problem? My computer is broken.

Another distinction is with 处理 (chǔlǐ), “to handle.”

• 处理 (chǔlǐ): To process, manage, or deal with something. It doesn't guarantee a final solution. It's about the process.
• 解决 (jiějué): To find the final, effective solution. It's about the result.

You might 处理 customer emails (process them one by one), but your goal is to 解决 the customers' underlying issues.

• 问题 (wèntí) - Problem, question. The thing that needs to be 解决-ed.
• 办法 (bànfǎ) - Method, way. Often used to form 解决办法, a solution.
• 方案 (fāng'àn) - Plan, proposal, scheme. A 解决方案 is a “solution plan,” a more formal term for a detailed solution.
• 处理 (chǔlǐ) - To handle, to process. Refers more to managing a task or situation, whereas 解决 implies finding a final fix.
• 克服 (kèfú) - To overcome. Similar, but often used for overcoming personal difficulties, fears, or abstract challenges rather than practical problems.
• 搞定 (gǎodìng) - (Colloquial) To get something done, to fix, to handle. It's the informal, slangy equivalent of having successfully 解决-ed something.
• 回答 (huídá) - To answer. Used for questions, not problems. A key distinction for learners.
• 矛盾 (máodùn) - Contradiction, conflict. An interpersonal or logical problem that often needs to be 解决-ed.