unknown, 16 strokes, radical 口, rank #26771, Very Hard
pī(pi1) T1
1onomatopoetic, the sound of something cracking
2child's buttocks (esp. Cantonese)
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March 24, 2026
噼pī(pi1)
The character 噼 (pī) is an onomatopoeic term that represents the sound of something cracking or snapping. It is commonly used in expressions that describe sharp, sudden noises, such as a clap or a crack, and can also refer to the sound of clattering objects. Additionally, in Cantonese, it can colloquially refer to a child's buttocks.
Strokes16Radical口Frequency#26771DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, sound words like 噼 are integral to children's stories and nursery rhymes, helping to create vivid imagery and engage young audiences. The playful nature of onomatopoeia reflects the importance of sound in storytelling.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tiny child cracking open a piñata, the sound of 'pī' echoing as the candy spills out, resembling the sharp crack of something breaking. The character 噼 has a radical that suggests sound, making it easy to remember its connection to noise.
Meanings of 噼
pī(pi1)
1onomatopoetic, the sound of something cracking
2child's buttocks (esp. Cantonese)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 噼
噼Simplified
16Strokes
口Radical
拟声词onomatopoeia (onom.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 噼
Podcast: 噼
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AI Study Notes for 噼
Usage Notes
This character is informal and typically appears in casual contexts. Learners should be cautious about using it in formal writing or speech. It often appears in compounds like 噼啪 (pī pā), which enhances the playful sound effect.
HSK Study Tips
Although 噼 is not a standard HSK level word, understanding it can enrich vocabulary related to sounds. Students should focus on recognizing similar onomatopoeic characters, which are common in Chinese and often enhance descriptive language.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 噼 with similar sounding characters, leading to incorrect usage. For example, using 噼 in a formal setting instead of a more appropriate term like '声响' (shēng xiǎng) for 'sound' can sound awkward.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 噼
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Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 辟 represents the sound.
1The meaning half口 carries the sense.
2The sound half辟 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaymouth
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 噼? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 噼?
Decomposition of 噼
IDS Structure⿰口辟
噼Full Character
=
口kou3
left
辟bi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 噼?
How to say onomatopoetic, the sound of something cracking in Chinese
“onomatopoetic, the sound of something cracking” in Chinese is噼pī
The character 噼 (pī) is an onomatopoeic term that represents the sound of something cracking or snapping. It is commonly used in expressions that describe sharp, sudden noises, such as a clap or a crack, and can also refer to the sound of clattering objects. Additionally, in Cantonese, it can colloquially refer to a child's buttocks.
When to use 噼
This character is informal and typically appears in casual contexts. Learners should be cautious about using it in formal writing or speech. It often appears in compounds like 噼啪 (pī pā), which enhances the playful sound effect.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 噼 with similar sounding characters, leading to incorrect usage. For example, using 噼 in a formal setting instead of a more appropriate term like '声响' (shēng xiǎng) for 'sound' can sound awkward.
Write 噼
噼
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Practice writing 噼 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 噼
噼 functions as an onomatopoeic word — it imitates a sound. It often functions as an adverbial or stand-alone exclamation rather than a true verb or noun. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
唯一的声响是冰层____噼啪啪碎裂的声音。
The only sound was the crackle of breaking ice.
Example Sentences for 噼 (5)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
唯一的声响是冰层噼噼啪啪碎裂的声音。
wéi yī de shēng xiǎng shì bīng céng pī pī pā pā suì liè de shēng yīn。
The only sound was the crackle of breaking ice.
2
电话线那头噼里啪啦地传来警察局长短促的声音。
diàn huà xiàn nà tóu pī lǐ pā lā dì chuán lái jǐng chá jú cháng duǎn cù de shēng yīn。
The Chief Constable's clipped tones crackled over the telephone line.
