Meanings of 擘
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About 擘
Podcast: 擘
Podcast: 擘
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AI Study Notes for 擘
撕 (sī) — use 擘 (bāi) when emphasizing the action of splitting or tearing apart with force, while 撕 (sī) focuses more on the act of tearing without the same connotation of forcefulness.
Be cautious not to confuse 擘 with similar characters that have softer meanings or are used in different contexts. This character is more often used in formal or literary contexts rather than casual conversation. Common collocations include 擘画 (bāihuà) meaning to delineate or outline.
While 擘 is not part of HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your comprehension of related terms in advanced contexts. Focus on its application in literary texts and its connection to actions involving hands, as this will help reinforce your grasp of similar characters.
Learners often mix up 擘 with characters that describe gentler actions, like 切 (qiē, to cut). For example, saying '我用擘切水果' (I use my thumb to cut fruit) is incorrect; it should be '我用刀切水果' (I use a knife to cut fruit).
Pronunciation of 擘
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Etymology of 擘
hand
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 擘
- 1The meaning half手 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half辟 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayhand
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 擘? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 擘
Identify the Components
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How to say thumb; to rip, to tear; to split, to analyze in Chinese
“thumb; to rip, to tear; to split, to analyze” in Chinese is擘
The character 擘 (bāi) primarily refers to the thumb, but it also conveys the actions of ripping, tearing, or splitting something apart. It is commonly used in contexts involving physical actions that involve forceful separation or analysis, particularly with regard to breaking down ideas or materials.
When to use 擘
Be cautious not to confuse 擘 with similar characters that have softer meanings or are used in different contexts. This character is more often used in formal or literary contexts rather than casual conversation. Common collocations include 擘画 (bāihuà) meaning to delineate or outline.
擘 or something close to it
撕 (sī) — use 擘 (bāi) when emphasizing the action of splitting or tearing apart with force, while 撕 (sī) focuses more on the act of tearing without the same connotation of forcefulness.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mix up 擘 with characters that describe gentler actions, like 切 (qiē, to cut). For example, saying '我用擘切水果' (I use my thumb to cut fruit) is incorrect; it should be '我用刀切水果' (I use a knife to cut fruit).
Write 擘
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Practice writing 擘 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 擘
Compound Meaning
What does 擘 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 擘
The primary meaning of 擘 is 'thumb,' but it also implies actions like tearing or splitting.
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