破格 (pò gē) — to make an exception; to break the usual rules (especially for someone talented or special)

Definition

Used in formal writing for breaking convention to appoint, admit, or promote someone because of exceptional talent. Typically takes a person (not a thing) as its object.

verb
to make an exceptionto break the usual rules (especially for someone talented or special)

Examples

  • 。
    Xué xiào wèi tā pò le yí cì gé.
    The school made an exception for him once.
  • 破格。
    Tā bèi pò gē lù qǔ le.
    He was admitted exceptionally.
  • 破格。
    Gōng sī pò gē tí bá le yí wèi nián qīng rén.
    The company exceptionally promoted a young person.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

破pòbreak
格gérule

破 means break and 格 means rule or pattern, expressing the idea of breaking usual rules.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
石石shí
Sound part声符shēngfú
皮
皮pí破pò
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

破 has 石 (stone) as its meaning part and 皮 as its sound part.

Open 破 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
木木mùwood
Sound part声符shēngfú
各
各gè格gé
Same sound today

格 is built from 木 (wood) on the left and 各 on the right, which gives the sound.

Open 格 →

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