詰 (jié) - To interrogate & to question closely

詰Tone 2

jié ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

傑君

詰 · jié

To interrogate;

to question closely;

to investigate;

to censure;

to reproach;

also used in the sense of 'next' in Japanese time expressions.

To interrogateto question closelyto investigate

Usage highlights

InterrogateCensureCrossPress for an answerInvestigate thoroughlyNext day

Synonyms

  • 問— to ask, inquire
  • 審— to interrogate, examine
  • 責— to blame, reproach

Antonyms

  • 答— to answer, reply
  • 恕— to forgive, pardon

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The police interrogated the suspect (詰問嫌疑人).
  • He was censured for his negligence (因疏忽而被詰責).
  • Tomorrow (明日) in Japanese is sometimes written as 明日 (ashita) but can use 詰 in compounds like 翌日 (yokujitsu - next day).
  • The reporter pressed for answers (記者追詰求答).

Collocations

  • Interrogate(詰問)
  • Censure(詰責)
  • Cross-examination(反詰)
  • Press for an answer(追詰)
  • Investigate thoroughly(詰查)
  • Next day(翌日 - Japanese usage)

Idioms

  • To press someone with questions(窮追猛詰)
  • To investigate thoroughly(追根詰底)
  • To corner someone in argument(詰屈聱牙)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In classical Chinese texts, 詰 often appears in legal and administrative contexts involving investigation and accountability.
  • The character carries connotations of rigor, thoroughness, and holding to account.
  • In Japanese, 詰 has extended meanings related to packing, filling, and temporal sequence (next).

FAQ