克制 (kèzhì) — to restrain, self-control

克制 (kèzhì)

克制 refers to the act of consciously suppressing or restraining one's emotions, desires, or impulses through willpower and discipline.

Meanings

1. [verb] to restrain, to suppress, to hold back (emotions or impulses)
2. [adjective] restrained, self-controlled, measured

Example Sentences

面对挑衅，他努力克制住自己的愤怒。 Miànduì tiǎoxìn, tā nǔlì kèzhì zhù zìjǐ de fènnù. Facing provocation, he worked hard to restrain his anger.

谈判代表在整个过程中保持了高度克制。 Tánpàn dàibiǎo zài zhěnggè guòchéng zhōng bǎochí le gāodù kèzhì. The negotiators maintained a high degree of restraint throughout the entire process.

有时候克制自己的欲望比满足它更困难。 Yǒu shíhòu kèzhì zìjǐ de yùwàng bǐ mǎnzú tā gèng kùnnán. Sometimes restraining one's desires is harder than satisfying them.

她克制地说出了自己的不满，没有情绪失控。 Tā kèzhì de shuō chū le zìjǐ de bùmǎn, méiyǒu qíngxù shīkòng. She expressed her dissatisfaction in a restrained manner without losing emotional control.

领导人在声明中使用了相当克制的语言。 Lǐngdǎorén zài shēngmíng zhōng shǐyòng le xiāngdāng kèzhì de yǔyán. The leader used quite restrained language in the statement.

学会克制是情绪成熟的重要标志。 Xuéhuì kèzhì shì qíngxù chéngshú de zhòngyào biāozhì. Learning to exercise self-control is an important sign of emotional maturity.

Collocations

Usage Notes

克制 emphasizes an active, conscious effort of willpower to hold back something. It is stronger than 控制 in implying an internal struggle. 克制 is commonly used in diplomatic contexts (双方保持克制, both sides maintained restraint) and psychological discussions. As an adjective, it describes a measured, composed manner -- 他说话很克制 means "he speaks in a very measured/restrained way."

Do not confuse 克制 with 压制 (yāzhì), which means to suppress or oppress something/someone externally. 克制 is always self-directed, while 压制 can be imposed on others.

Memory Hook

克 means "to overcome/conquer" and 制 means "to control" -- 克制 is conquering and controlling your own inner impulses before they conquer you.