徹 (chè) - To penetrate & to go through thoroughly

徹Tone 4

chè ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

嫦晨

徹 · chè

To penetrate;

to go through thoroughly;

to be thorough;

to reach the end;

to be clear and transparent.

To penetrateto go through thoroughlyto be thorough

Usage highlights

ThoroughlyPenetratingAll night longTo investigate thoroughlyTo the boneTo understand thoroughly

Synonyms

  • 透— to penetrate; transparent
  • 贯— to pierce through; to connect
  • 通— to go through; to understand

Antonyms

  • 阻— to block; to obstruct
  • 塞— to clog; to block up
  • 浅— shallow; superficial

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The sunlight penetrates the window (阳光透过窗户).
  • He has a thorough understanding of the subject (他对这个课题有透彻的理解).
  • The policy was implemented thoroughly (这项政策被彻底执行).
  • The detective conducted a thorough investigation (侦探进行了彻查).

Collocations

  • Thoroughly(彻底)
  • Penetrating(透彻)
  • All night long(彻夜)
  • To investigate thoroughly(彻查)
  • To the bone(彻骨)
  • To understand thoroughly(彻悟)

Idioms

  • To be completely convinced(大彻大悟)
  • To be chilled to the bone(寒风彻骨)
  • To be clear and thorough(透彻玲珑)
  • To be resolute and thorough(贯彻始终)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character 徹 originally depicted a hand and a broom, symbolizing the act of clearing away or making things clean and clear.
  • In philosophical contexts, it is associated with achieving deep understanding or enlightenment, as in 大彻大悟.
  • It conveys a sense of completeness, thoroughness, and reaching the very essence of something.

FAQ