破例 (pò lì) — to make an exception | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

破例 (pò lì) is the verb meaning to make an exception — someone breaks a usual rule or habit this one time. 例外 is the related noun: 'an exception' (the thing that doesn't fit the rule).

verb

to make an exception

Easily confused

魄力pò lìsound-alikedecisiveness, boldness (the ability to act decisively and take initiative)

Examples

，破例。
Tā píng shí hěn yán gé, jīn tiān què pò lì le.
He is usually very strict, but today he made an exception.
破例？
Nǐ néng wèi wǒ pò lì yí cì ma?
Can you make an exception for me once?
破例，。
Lǎo shī pò lì, ràng wǒ zài kǎo yí cì.
The teacher made an exception and let me take the test again.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

The action 破, breaking, is aimed at 例, a rule or precedent, to make an exception.

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.

亻列例

Meaning part形符xíngfú

亻Written in full as人rén

Sound part声符shēngfú

列

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

例 is built from 亻, which relates to people, and 列, which gives the sound.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 HSK 2.0 Level 6 Order & Arrangement

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