degree; superiority; propriety; anyway; in the end
Meanings
5 senses · 15 examplesnoun
degree of height or pitch; level; degree
Often used to describe physical height, audio pitch, or abstract levels.
She has a good command of the modulation and pitch changes in her speech.
Standing at the foot of the mountain, I couldn't estimate its actual height.
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The coach is adjusting the intensity level of the athletes' training.
noun
relative superiority or inferiority; ranking
Used to compare and contrast the quality or skill between two or more things/people.
The technical proficiency of these two paintings is similar; it's hard to determine which is superior.
They want to settle the matter of superiority through this match.
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Don't always think about comparing yourself to others; the most important thing is to be your best self.
noun
sense of propriety; appropriate degree (esp. in speech or action)
informalOften used in negative constructions (e.g., 不知高低) to criticize someone for lacking tact or awareness of social boundaries.
That young man speaks too bluntly; he really has no sense of propriety.
When joking in front of elders, you need to understand the appropriate limits.
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He acts without proper judgment and often offends people.
adverb
no matter what; anyway; simply
informalEmphasizes that something happens or is the case despite any conditions or objections. Used with negatives like 不 or 没 in the subsequent clause.
We tried to persuade him for a long time, but he simply wouldn't agree.
I must finish writing this report today, no matter what.
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No matter how cheap the price was, he simply refused to buy it.
adverb
in the end; after all; finally (dialectal)
dialectA dialectal usage (e.g., in Northern dialects) indicating that something is achieved or happens after effort, delay, or uncertainty.
I looked for this key for three days and finally found it in the crack of the sofa.
He has a strong constitution; after being sick, he recovered in the end.
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You can't explain this principle to him; in the end, he'll have to experience it himself.