(guǎ) — to cut to pieces, to dismember; to slit, to cut open

Definition

A formal, literary verb for cutting into pieces, most often seen in the historical punishment 千刀万剐 ('death by a thousand cuts') and in 剐刑 ('punishment by dismemberment'). Rare in everyday speech.

verb
to cut to piecesto dismemberto slitto cut open

Examples

  • Tā yīn wèi qiǎng jié bèi chǔ yǐ guǎ xíng.
    He was sentenced to death by dismemberment for robbery.
  • Nà bǎ dāo hěn fēng lì, qīng qīng yì guǎ jiù huá pò le pí fū.
    That knife is so sharp that a gentle slit cuts the skin.
  • Gǔ dài yǒu yì zhǒng cán kù de xíng fá jiào qiān dāo wàn guǎ.
    In ancient times there was a cruel punishment called 'death by a thousand cuts'.

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.