Meaning of 间接
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- indirectly; indirect
How to use 间接
间接 is the opposite of 直接 (zhíjiē, direct) and often appears before nouns or verbs, sometimes with 地 (de). It is common in phrases like 间接影响 (indirect influence) and 间接原因 (indirect cause). Example: 这件事间接影响了我。(Zhè jiàn shì jiànjiē yǐngxiǎng le wǒ.) This matter affected me indirectly.
间 (jiàn) means a space in between, as in 中间 (zhōngjiān), and 接 (jiē) means to connect. Something 间接 connects to you through a space in between, so it reaches you indirectly.
Common mistake: Learners often read 间 here with the first tone jiān, as in 时间 (shíjiān) or 房间 (fángjiān), but in 间接 it is fourth tone: jiànjiē. Also, do not confuse 接 (jiē) with 按 (àn), which looks similar but means to press.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
间 jiān · between · 7 strokes
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接 jiē · to receive · 11 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 间接.
| 时间 | shíjiān | (concept of) time; (duration of) time |
| 房间 | fángjiān | room |
| 中间 | zhōngjiān | the middle; the inside; in the middle; within; between; among |
| 洗手间 | xǐshǒujiān | toilet; lavatory |
| 接受 | jiēshòu | to accept (a suggestion, punishment, bribe etc); to acquiesce |
| 直接 | zhíjiē | directly; direct |
| 接下来 | jiē xiàlái | to accept; to take |
| 接着 | jiēzhe | to catch and hold on; to continue |
| 接到 | jiēdào | to receive (letter etc) |
| 接近 | jiējìn | to approach; to get close to |
| 迎接 | yíngjiē | to welcome; to greet |
| 接待 | jiēdài | to receive; to entertain; to host (guests, visitors or clients) |
Questions about 间接
What does 间接 mean?
间接 (jiànjiē) means "indirectly; indirect" and is used as a adjective.
How do you write 间接?
间接 is made of 2 characters: 间 (7 strokes), 接 (11 strokes). That is 18 strokes in total.
Is 间接 an HSK word?
Yes. 间接 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 间接 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 间接 is written 間接.
How do I say 'indirectly' as an adverb with 间接?
You can use 间接 directly before a verb, or add 地 to get 间接地. For example, 他间接地告诉了我 (tā jiànjiē de gàosu le wǒ) means 'he told me indirectly.'
Can 间接 describe a person's way of speaking?
Yes, but for someone who talks around a point, Chinese speakers often prefer 委婉 (wěiwǎn, tactful) or 说话不直接 (shuōhuà bù zhíjiē). 间接 is more often used for causes, effects, and channels, like 间接经验 (indirect experience).