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掰 (bāi) — to break off or break open (something) with both hands; (figurative) to break off (a relationship), to break up

Definition

掰 (bāi) means breaking or splitting something apart with both hands — literal (掰开橘子) or figurative for ending a relationship. Unlike 断绝 or 中止, 掰 is colloquial and always implies physical tearing by hand.

verb
to break off or break open (something) with both hands(figurative) to break off (a relationship)to break up

Examples

  • 。
    Tā bāi kāi le yí gè jú zi.
    He broke open an orange with his hands.
  • 掰。
    Tā gēn nǚ péng you bāi le.
    He broke up with his girlfriend.
  • 掰
    Tā bǎ miàn bāo bāi chéng liǎng bàn
    He broke the bread in half with his hands.

Origin

Compound ideograph
六书liùshū
会意huìyì

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

掰 puts 分 between two 手, showing something being pulled apart between the hands.

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6

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