Meaning:

to separate; divide; untie; undo

Origin:

甲骨文的字形由“牛”、“角”和两只手组成，意思是用手解剖牛角，所以“解”的基本意思是“分开”、“打开”。

On ancient oracle bone inscriptions, “解” is made up of the characters representing a cow, ox horn and two hands, which together mean to dissect ox horns by hand . As such, the original meaning of “解” was to separate or unfold.

Words:

    解救 (jiějiù): to solve; resolve; settle

    解雇 (jiěgù): to discharge; dismiss; fire; sack

    解放 (jiěfàng): to liberate; emancipate; free; set free

    解答 (jiědá): to answer; explain

    解除 (jiěchú): to remove; relieve; free; get rid of

    解开 (jiěkāi): to loose; undo; untie

Examples:

1. 由于上班经常迟到，他被公司解雇了。

    Yóuyú shàngbān jīngcháng chídào，tā bèi gōngsī jiěgù le

    He was fired because he was always late for work.

2. 老师应该耐心解答学生的问题。

    Lǎoshī yīnggāi nàixīn jiědá xuésheng de wèntí

    Teachers should patiently resolve their students’ questions.