Chinese word

线索

Pronunciation

Pinyinxiàn suǒ

Meaning

  • nounclue

Example

警方在现场找到了线索。jǐng fāng zài xiàn chǎng zhǎo dào le xiàn suǒ

The police found a clue at the scene.

Illustration for 线索 (clue)

More examples

历史文件中隐藏着重要的线索。lì shǐ wén jiàn zhōng yǐn cáng zhe zhòng yào de xiàn suǒ

An important clue is hidden in historical documents.

Core concept

A sign that opens a path for investigation, reasoning, or discovery.

Common phrases

  • 提供线索tí gōng xiàn suǒ

    provide a clue

  • 发现线索fā xiàn xiàn suǒ

    find a clue

  • 掌握线索zhǎng wò xiàn suǒ

    get hold of a clue

Similar words

头绪tóu xù: A useful starting point for making progress on a difficult problem.
证据zhèng jù: Solid information or material used to show that something is true.

Definition in Chinese

表示可以指引调查方向或启发思路的信息或迹象，既包括具体的证据也包括可供推测的提示。biǎo shì ké yǐ zhí yǐn diào chá fāng xiàng huò qǐ fā sī lù de xìn xī huò jì xiàng jì bāo kuò jù tǐ de zhèng jù yě bāo kuò kě gōng tuī cè de tí shì

Word origin

The compound 线 (xiàn, "thread") + 索 (suǒ, "rope") evokes following a line through uncertainty until it reveals a direction, giving the word its sense of a clue.

Usage tips

  • This word fits ordinary problem-solving as well as detective work, so a useful fact can be described this way even when no crime is involved.

Other meanings

  • leadnoun
  • hintnoun

Word lists with this word