HSK · Level 38
120 words
Chinese word
要害
Pronunciation
Pinyinyào hài
Meaning
- nounkey point
Example
会议中他指出了问题的要害。huì yì zhōng tā zhǐ chū le wèn tí de yào hài
At the meeting, he pointed out the heart of the problem.
More examples
他的评论切中了要害，大家都沉默了。tā de píng lùn qiè zhòng le yào hài dà jiā dōu chén mò le
His comment hit the key point, and everyone fell silent.
Core concept
The point or spot where pressure can decide whether the whole plan holds or fails.
Common phrases
切中要害qiè zhòng yào hài
hit the key point
要害问题yào hài wèn tí
key issue
要害所在yào hài suǒ zài
where the key point lies
Similar words
要点yào diǎn: An important point that guides understanding or action.
关键guān jiàn: The critical point that determines success or failure.
重点zhòng diǎn: The important part that deserves priority attention or effort.
Definition in Chinese
指在布局、争论或行动中能够决定成败的要点或部位，也可指容易成为破坏目标的薄弱处。zhǐ zài bù jú zhēng lùn huò xíng dòng zhōng néng gòu jué dìng chéng bài de yào diǎn huò bù wèi yě kě zhǐ róng yì chéng wéi pò huài mù biāo de bó ruò chù
Word origin
要 (yào, "important") + 害 (hài, "harm") describes an important spot whose damage can affect the whole, giving the word both its decisive and vulnerable senses.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, 要害 (yàohài, "key point; weak point") sounds formal and is more common in serious analysis or writing than in casual talk about ordinary details.
Other meanings
- weak pointnoun
Opposites
- 琐事suǒ shìtrivial matternoun