故意: meaning, pinyin, and usage

Understanding "故意" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 故意
• Pinyin: gùyì
• Literal Meaning: “deliberate intention” or “with a set purpose” (故 suggests a cause or deliberate reason; 意 means intention or meaning)
• Primary Meaning: intentionally; deliberately; on purpose

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage: 故意 describes an action done with clear intent, not by accident or carelessness. English speakers often use it where they would say “on purpose,” “deliberately,” or “intentionally.” It commonly appears before a verb (故意迟到 “arrive late on purpose”) or in the pattern 不是故意的 (“It wasn’t on purpose”), which is a very common way to apologize or deny harmful intent. The word usually carries a negative or at least pointed tone: the speaker is stressing that the act was chosen, not accidental. It is neutral in legal or formal speech when the question is simply whether someone acted knowingly. It is not used for ordinary planned activities that have no sense of “doing it on purpose” (you would not say someone “故意” went to work). A close contrast is 无意 (wúyì), “unintentionally,” and the softer 不小心 (bù xiǎoxīn), “carelessly / by accident.”
• Character Breakdown: 故 (gù) can mean “cause,” “reason,” “former,” or, in compounds like this one, “deliberate / for a reason.” 意 (yì) means “idea,” “meaning,” or “intention.” Together they point to an intention that was formed on purpose: the person had a reason and acted on it.

3. Example Sentences

• Chinese: 他故意把我的书藏起来了。
• Pinyin: Tā gùyì bǎ wǒ de shū cáng qǐlái le.

• English: He deliberately hid my book.

• Chinese: 对不起，我不是故意的。

• Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ, wǒ bú shì gùyì de.

• English: Sorry, I didn’t do it on purpose.

• Chinese: 你为什么故意不理我？

• Pinyin: Nǐ wèishénme gùyì bù lǐ wǒ?
• English: Why are you intentionally ignoring me?

Cultural Notes (if applicable)

In everyday Chinese, admitting or denying intent matters a great deal in apologies and in assigning blame. Saying 我不是故意的 softens a mistake by separating the result from the person’s will: the harm happened, but it was not chosen. In more formal or legal settings, 故意 marks knowing, purposeful conduct (as opposed to negligence), so the same word that appears in casual arguments also appears when people discuss responsibility. Learners should notice the social weight: calling someone’s act 故意 can sound accusatory, while denying 故意 is a standard way to repair a relationship after a slip.

Conclusion

故意 (gùyì) means “on purpose” or “deliberately.” Use it when intent itself is the point—especially to accuse, explain, or apologize—and remember the everyday phrase 不是故意的 for “I didn’t mean to.”

Sources and Further Reading

• MDBG Chinese Dictionary: 故意
• Wiktionary: 故意
• HSK vocabulary reference dataset

Dictionary links are provided for independent reference. Example sentences and learning notes on this page are educational explanations rather than dictionary quotations.