坼 (chè) - To crack & to split open

坼Tone 4

chè ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 土

嫦晨

坼 · chè

To crack;

to split open;

to burst;

to break apart (as in earth or dried mud).

To crackto split opento burst

Usage highlights

Crack openGround fissureSplit apartCracking soundFrost crackingBurst forth

Synonyms

  • 裂— to split, to crack
  • 破— to break, to rupture
  • 绽— to burst open, to split

Antonyms

  • 合— to close, to join
  • 凝— to coagulate, to solidify

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The dry ground cracked (地坼).
  • The ice split with a loud noise (冰坼).
  • The seed coat bursts open during germination (种皮坼裂).

Collocations

  • Crack open(坼开)
  • Ground fissure(地坼)
  • Split apart(坼裂)
  • Cracking sound(坼然)
  • Frost cracking(霜坼)
  • Burst forth(坼发)

Idioms

  • The heavens collapse and the earth splits(天崩地坼)
  • Cracking ice(冰坼)
  • The land splits and mountains crumble(地坼山崩)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often used in classical Chinese to describe natural phenomena like earth cracking from drought or ice splitting.
  • Appears in poetic contexts to convey dramatic change or destruction.
  • Associated with omens or significant natural events in historical texts.

FAQ