Definition
拔剑 is a verb-object compound (离合词) meaning 'to draw a sword'. As a separable verb, the object 剑 can be separated from the verb 拔 when inserting measure words, durations, or other elements — for example, 拔了一次剑 ('drew the sword once'). You cannot put an object after 拔剑 directly; the sword is already part of the compound.
v.o.
to draw a sword (from its sheath)
Examples
- 拔剑，。Tā xùnsù bá jiàn, zhǔnbèi zhàndòu.He quickly drew his sword, ready to fight.
- ，。Tā bá le sān cì jiàn, dàn dōu méiyǒu chūshǒu.He drew his sword three times, but never made a move.
- ，拔剑。Xiǎoshuō lǐ, gāoshǒu chángcháng zài guānjiàn shíkè bá jiàn.In novels, masters often draw their swords at critical moments.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.