Definition
扒 (bā) has three distinct senses: 'to peel/skin' — it implies stripping or pulling off the outer layer, unlike 剥 (bāo) which is the general verb for peeling fruit or skin; 'to tear down' — used for structures like walls, contrasting with 撕 (sī) for tearing paper or fabric; and 'to cling to' — a physical hold while climbing, with no direct synonym among the listed siblings.
verb
to peelto skin (remove the outer covering)to pull downto tear down (a building, wall, etc.)to cling toto hold on to (while climbing)
Easily confused
- 拣jiǎnlook-aliketo pick, to choose (from a group, often with care or by sorting)
- 吧basound-alike(modal particle) used to indicate a suggestion, a tentative guess, or to soften a statement
- 扬yánglook-aliketo raise, to lift up
- 把bǎsound-alike(classifier) for things with handles, or for handfuls and bunches
- 报bàolook-aliketo report, to announce
- 八bāsound-alikeeight
- 搀chānlook-aliketo take by the arm and assist (e.g., an elderly or injured person)
- 拔básound-aliketo pull out, to extract (from a fixed position)
- 抛pāolook-aliketo throw, to toss, to fling
- 疤bāsound-alikescar (permanent mark on skin or surface)
Examples
- 扒。Tā zhèngzài bā xiāngjiāo pí.She is peeling the banana skin.
- 扒。Gōngrén bǎ jiù wéiqiáng bā diào le.The workers tore down the old wall.
- 扒。Dēngshānzhě jǐn jǐn de bā zhe yánshí.The climber held tightly onto the rock.
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