Meaning of 化解
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to dissolve
- to resolve (contradictions)
- to dispel (doubts)
- to iron out (difficulties)
- to defuse (conflicts)
- to neutralize (fears)
How to use 化解
化解 is a fairly formal verb used for abstract things like conflicts, tension, crises, doubts and misunderstandings. It suggests easing something gradually rather than fixing it by force. Example: 他的一句玩笑化解了尴尬。(Tā de yí jù wánxiào huàjiěle gāngà.) His joke defused the awkwardness.
化 (huà) means to change or melt, and 解 (jiě) means to untie or loosen, as in 解开 (jiěkāi). To 化解 a problem is to melt it down and untie it until it is gone.
Common mistake: Learners often use 化解 where 解决 (jiějué) fits better. 解决 is for solving concrete problems like 解决问题, while 化解 is for softening tensions or emotions like 化解矛盾 or 化解误会. Also keep 化 in the fourth tone, huà, not huā as in 花.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
化 huà · to make into · 4 strokes
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解 jiě · to divide · 13 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 化解.
| 理解 | lǐjiě | to comprehend; to understand |
| 解决 | jiějué | to solve; to resolve; to settle (a problem); to eliminate; to wipe out (an enemy, bandits |
| 变化 | biànhuà | (intransitive) to change; to vary; change; variation |
| 文化 | wénhuà | culture; civilization |
| 解开 | jiěkāi | to untie; to undo |
| 现代化 | xiàndàihuà | modernization |
| 了解 | liǎojiě | to understand; to know about; to learn about; to find out |
| 解释 | jiěshì | explanation; to explain |
| 消化 | xiāohuà | to digest (food); (fig.) to absorb (information etc); to assimilate; to process |
| 缓解 | huǎnjiě | to bring relief; to alleviate (a crisis) |
| 解除 | jiěchú | to remove; to sack |
| 解放 | jiěfàng | to liberate; to emancipate |
Questions about 化解
What does 化解 mean?
化解 (huàjiě) means "to dissolve; to resolve (contradictions)" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 化解?
化解 is made of 2 characters: 化 (4 strokes), 解 (13 strokes). That is 17 strokes in total.
Is 化解 an HSK word?
Yes. 化解 is on the HSK 6 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What nouns commonly go with 化解?
Common objects include 矛盾 (máodùn, conflict), 危机 (wēijī, crisis), 误会 (wùhuì, misunderstanding), 冲突 (chōngtū, clash), 风险 (fēngxiǎn, risk) and 尴尬 (gāngà, awkwardness). They are usually tense situations or negative feelings.
Can 化解 be used for dissolving something physically?
The dictionary lists to dissolve as a sense, but in everyday modern Chinese 化解 is almost always figurative. For physical dissolving, people usually say 溶解 (róngjiě) or 融化 (rónghuà).