破案 (pò àn) — to solve (a case) | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Means 'to solve a case' — used only for crimes, not puzzles or homework. 比解决 narrower: 解决 covers any problem, while 破案 is specifically for criminal cases.

verb

to solve (a case)

Examples

破案。
Zhè ge àn zi zhōng yú pò àn le.
This case has finally been solved.
。
Jǐng chá pò le yí gè dà àn.
The police solved a major case.
破案。
Zhè jiàn àn zi xū yào jǐn kuài pò àn.
This case needs to be solved as soon as possible.

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/solve

破 (break/solve) and 案 (case) together mean to solve a case.

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.

石皮破

Meaning part形符xíngfú

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.

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

木安案

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

安

安ān案àn

Same sound today

案 pairs 木, a wood/tree shape, with 安, which is used for its sound.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 Crime & Police

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