掰 (bāi) - To break apart with both hands & to snap

掰Tone 1

bāi ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

傲不

掰 · bāi

To break apart with both hands;

to snap;

to split;

to break off (a relationship);

to analyze or explain in detail.

To break apart with both handsto snapto split

Usage highlights

Break apartBreak off relationshipExplain clearlyBreak into piecesBreak cornBreak reasoning

Synonyms

  • 折— to break, to snap
  • 断— to break, to sever
  • 分— to separate, to divide

Antonyms

  • 合— to combine, to join
  • 连— to connect, to link
  • 接— to join, to connect

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He broke the bread in half (掰开面包).
  • Let me explain this to you clearly (掰扯清楚).
  • They broke off their friendship (掰了).
  • The child broke the cookie into pieces (把饼干掰碎了).

Collocations

  • Break apart(掰开)
  • Break off relationship(掰了)
  • Explain clearly(掰扯)
  • Break into pieces(掰碎)
  • Break corn(掰玉米)
  • Break reasoning(掰道理)

Idioms

  • To argue until one is blue in the face(掰开揉碎)
  • Arm wrestling(掰手腕)
  • To explain in minute detail(掰开了说)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character depicts two hands (手) separating something in the middle, representing the physical action of breaking.
  • Commonly used in northern Chinese dialects, particularly in Beijing, to mean 'to break off' or 'to end' relationships.
  • The character structure visually represents the meaning - two hands pulling something apart.

FAQ