切中要害

Traditional form:

切中要害

Pinyin (reading):

qièzhòngyàohài

Definitions:

• to hit the target and do real damage (idiom)
• fig. to hit where it hurts
• fig. to hit home
• an argument that hits the nail on the head

Characters:

• 切 - to cut, to mince, to slice, to carve; close to; eager
• 中 - central; center, middle; amidst; to hit (target), to attain; China; Chinese
• 要 - essential, necessary; to ask for; to coerce; to demand
• 害 - to injure, to harm; to destroy, to kill

Traditional characters:

• 切 - to cut, to mince, to slice, to carve; close to; eager
• 中 - central; center, middle; amidst; to hit (target), to attain; China; Chinese
• 要 - essential, necessary; to ask for; to coerce; to demand
• 害 - to injure, to harm; to destroy, to kill