Meaning and Usage
The adverb 刻意 (kèyì) means "deliberately" or "intentionally." It emphasizes that an action is done with conscious effort or purpose, often contrasting with accidental or spontaneous behavior.
Common Contexts
刻意 is frequently used when someone wants to highlight that something was done on purpose, sometimes with a nuance of careful planning or even manipulation. It can describe positive efforts, like deliberate practice, or negative actions, like intentional mistakes.
Collocations and Patterns
- 刻意避免 (kèyì bìmiǎn): deliberately avoid
- 刻意练习 (kèyì liànxí): deliberate practice
- 刻意为之 (kèyì wéizhī): done intentionally
These phrases are common in both spoken and written Chinese and help express purposeful behavior clearly.
Nuances and Tips
Using 刻意 implies a stronger sense of intention than just "try" or "make an effort." It often suggests that the person is consciously controlling their actions. Be careful not to confuse 刻意 with 偶然 (ǒurán, accidental) or 随便 (suíbiàn, casual). 刻意 always stresses deliberate intent.
Summary
刻意 is a useful adverb to express intentionality in actions, whether positive or negative. It is common in everyday conversation, media, and formal writing when emphasizing purposeful behavior.