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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'to untie' or 'to solve' with 解开 (jiěkāi)

    Actions & Events

    Structure

    Subject + 解开 + (了) + Object

    Explanation

    解开 (jiěkāi) is a verb meaning "to untie," "to unfasten," or "to solve." It combines 解 (to loosen) with the resultative complement 开 (open/apart), indicating that something bound or puzzling has been successfully opened or resolved. It applies to both physical knots and abstract puzzles or mysteries.

    Examples

    • 他花了好久才解开鞋带上的死结。

      Tā huā le hǎo jiǔ cái jiě kāi xiédài shàng de sǐjié.

      It took him a long time to untie the tight knot on his shoelace.

    • 警察终于解开了这个案件的谜团。

      Jǐngchá zhōngyú jiě kāi le zhège ànjiàn de mítuán.

      The police finally unraveled the mystery of this case.

    • 你能帮我解开这个绳子上的结吗？

      Nǐ néng bāng wǒ jiě kāi zhège shéngzi shàng de jié ma?

      Can you help me untie the knot on this rope?

    Expressing 'to untie' or 'to solve' with 解开 (jiěkāi) | Chinese Grammar