故意 gùyì deliberately
deliberately; intentional; on purpose
How to remember 故意: 故 former + 意 idea = deliberately.
Characters
How it is used
- 'On purpose / deliberately' - 他故意的 (tā gùyì de) he did it on purpose; 我不是故意的 (wǒ bú shì gùyì de) I didn't mean to.
- That last phrase is a common apology. Antonym 无意 (wúyì) / 不小心 (bù xiǎoxīn, accidentally) - 不小心弄坏 (bù xiǎoxīn nònghuài) break it by accident.
- Adverb before the verb; usually flags intent behind something harmful or provocative.
Example sentences
- 他是故意那样做的 tā shì gù yì nà yàng zuò deHe did it on purpose
- 那不是我故意的。 Nà búshì wǒ gùyì de.That wasn't my intention.
- 轮到他时，我们故意跳过了他。 Lúndào tā shí, wǒmen gùyì tiàoguò le tā.We skipped his turn on purpose.