折 (zhé) - to break & to snap
折 · zhé
to break;
to snap;
to fold;
to bend;
to discount;
to convert;
to turn;
to suffer loss;
to judge (in litigation)
to breakto snapto fold
Usage highlights
discountbreakfoldbendsetbackconvert
Usage & contexts
Examples
- The branch broke (树枝折了).
- Please fold the paper (请折纸).
- The store offers a 20% discount (商店打八折).
- He suffered a major setback (他遭受重大挫折).
Collocations
- discount(打折)
- break(折断)
- fold(折叠)
- bend(曲折)
- setback(挫折)
- convert(折合)
Idioms
- To suffer repeated setbacks(百折不挠)
- To compromise(折中办法)
- To bow in submission(折腰)
- To break one's wings(折翼)
- To turn back halfway(折返)
Cultural background
FAQ- In traditional Chinese culture, '折' carries both literal (physical breaking) and metaphorical meanings (suffering loss or setback).
- The character appears in many business contexts related to discounts and conversions.
- In literature, '折腰' (bowing) symbolizes submission or respect, famously used in Tao Yuanming's refusal to 'bow for five pecks of rice'.