HSK 7-9
索性
suǒxìng
Might as well; simply
Structure
Subject + 索性 + Verb Phrase / Adjective
How it works
The adverb '索性' indicates that a person decides to take a straightforward, bold, or extreme action after encountering a problem or hesitation. It carries a tone of 'since something is happening anyway, I might as well do it thoroughly' or 'straight up.'
Examples
既然外面下着大雨，我索性留在家里不去上班了。
Jìrán wàimiàn xiàzhe dàyǔ, wǒ suǒxìng liú zài jiālǐ bù qù shàngbān le.
Since it’s raining heavily outside, I might as well stay home and not go to work.
这本书我已经看了大半，索性一下把它看完吧。
Zhè běn shū wǒ yǐjīng kànle dàbàn, suǒxìng yīxià bǎ tā kàn wán ba.
I've already read most of this book; I'll just go ahead and finish it in one go.
与其这样凑合，索性推倒重来。
Yǔqí zhèyàng còuhe, suǒxìng tuīdǎo chónglái.
Rather than making do like this, we might as well tear it down and start over.
Common mistakes
Don't confuse '索性' with '反正'. While both can mean 'anyway,' '索性' emphasizes a decisive action taken by the subject, while '反正' emphasizes an objective fact or result that doesn't change.
Tip
Use '索性' when you feel frustrated or impatient and decide to take the easiest or most direct path to resolve the situation.
More HSK 7-9 grammar
See 索性 in real Chinese
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