症结

zhēngjié

hard lump in the abdomen (in Chinese medicine)

HSK 7

漢字分解

Understanding "症结"

"症结" refers to the core or crux of a problem, often the fundamental cause that needs to be addressed to resolve an issue. It is commonly used in both medical and metaphorical contexts.

Usage in Conversation

When people use "症结," they imply that identifying this key point is essential for effective solutions. For example, in discussions about conflicts or difficulties, pinpointing the "症结" helps clarify what must be tackled.

Common Collocations

Nuances

"症结" often carries a serious tone, suitable for formal or analytical contexts. It differs from general words for "problem" by emphasizing the root cause rather than symptoms or superficial issues.

Avoiding Confusion

Do not confuse "症结" with "症状" (symptom). "症结" is about the root cause, while "症状" refers to the manifestations of a disease or problem.

例文

我们必须找到问题的症结,才能有效解决。

Wǒmen bìxū zhǎodào wèntí de zhēngjié, cáinéng yǒuxiào jiějué.

We must find the crux of the problem to solve it effectively.

症结在于沟通不畅,双方误解了对方的意图。

Zhēngjié zàiyú gōutōng bù chàng, shuāngfāng wùjiěle duìfāng de yìtú.

The crux lies in poor communication; both sides misunderstood each other's

医生说病人的症结是长期压力导致的心理问题。

Yīshēng shuō bìngrén de zhēngjié shì chángqī yālì dǎozhì de xīnlǐ wèntí.

The doctor said the patient's core issue is psychological problems caused by