故意
HSK 6- Other
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The adverb 故意 expresses that an action is carried out deliberately or intentionally, and usually carries a negative connotation.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
故意 is an adverb used to emphasize that an action is done deliberately and with a clear purpose, rather than accidentally or unintentionally. It often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that the action may be intended to tease, annoy, or harm others. Its antonyms are 不小心 (careless, unintentional) and 无意 (unintentional).
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 他故意打破了杯子。Tā gùyì dǎpò le bēizi.
He intentionally broke the cup.
- 你是不是故意迟到的？繁: 你是不是故意遲到的？Nǐ shì bu shì gùyì chídào de?
Did you arrive late on purpose?
- 她故意不理我。Tā gùyì bù lǐ wǒ.
She deliberately ignored me.
- 他故意说那些话气我。繁: 他故意說那些話氣我。Tā gùyì shuō nàxiē huà qì wǒ.
He deliberately said those things to annoy me.
- 别装了，我知道你是故意的。繁: 別裝了，我知道你是故意的。Bié zhuāng le, wǒ zhīdào nǐ shì gùyì de.
Stop pretending, I know you did it on purpose.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:他迟到了故意。Correct:他故意迟到了。
故意 is an adverb and must come before the verb (迟到); it cannot stand at the end of the sentence as in Vietnamese.
- Wrong:对不起，我故意踩到你了。Correct:对不起，我不是故意的。
故意 refers to an action done intentionally. If it is unintentional, use 不是故意的 (not on purpose) or 不小心 (careless).