Definition
掰 (bāi) means to break something apart with both hands, like snapping a branch. Figuratively, it's a colloquial word for 'break up' (a relationship), especially romantic — you actively end it, unlike 失恋 (being dumped). It's less formal than 断绝 (jué), which is the written term for severing ties.
verb
to break off or break open (something) with both hands(figurative) to break off (a relationship)to break up
Easily confused
- 份fènlook-alike(classifier) for documents, newspapers, magazines, contracts, gifts, portions of food, etc.
- 白báisound-alike(adjective) white; blank; plain
- 粉fěnlook-alike(noun) powder; cosmetic powder
- 摆bǎisound-aliketo arrange, to set out, to display
- 扮bànlook-aliketo dress up (as), to disguise oneself as
- 百bǎisound-alikehundred
- 盼pànlook-aliketo long for, to look forward to, to eagerly await
- 败bàisound-aliketo lose, to be defeated
Examples
- 。Tā bāi kāi le yí gè júzi.He broke open an orange with his hands.
- 掰。Tā gēn nǚpéngyou bāi le.He broke up with his girlfriend.
- 掰tā bǎ miànbāo bāi chéng liǎng bànHe broke the bread in half with his hands.
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