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破绽 (pò zhàn) — (figurative) flaw, weak point, loophole (in an argument, plan, story, etc.); (rare, literal) torn seam, burst seam (of clothing)

Definition

破绽 (pòzhàn) names the weak spot where an argument, plan, or story falls apart — the figurative sense used in everyday speech. The literal 'torn seam' meaning is rare and not what learners will encounter.

noun
(figurative) flawweak pointloophole (in an argument, plan, story, etc.)(rare, literal) torn seamburst seam (of clothing)
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 破绽。
    Tā de gù shi lǐ yǒu hěn duō pò zhàn.
    There are many flaws in his story.
  • ，破绽。
    Zhè ge jì huà kàn sì wán měi, dàn zǐ xì kàn hái shì néng fā xiàn pò zhàn.
    This plan seems perfect, but if you look closely, you can still find flaws.
  • ，破绽。
    Tā shuō huà fēi cháng xiǎo xīn, cóng bù chū pò zhàn.
    He speaks very carefully and never reveals any weak points.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

破pòbroken
绽zhànsplit

Broken plus split gives a crack or flaw.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 綻; 绽 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mìthread
Sound part声符shēngfú
定
定dìng綻zhàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 綻 pairs 糸 (thread) with 定 for its sound; the simplified 绽 is a later shorthand.

Appears in
Abstract Concepts

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