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March 24, 2026
裂liè(lie4)
The character 裂 (liè) primarily means 'to split' or 'to crack.' It is commonly used in contexts where something is torn apart or broken open, such as a fissure in the earth or a split in fabric. The nuance often implies a clean or defined break rather than a chaotic or messy one.
Strokes12Radical衣Frequency#7068DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of裂 can be seen in traditional stories and folklore, where cracks or splits often symbolize change or the emergence of new possibilities, reflecting philosophical ideas about transformation.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant '裂' (liè) in the ground, like a rift where you can see the two sides separated. The left part looks like a pair of scissors (to cut), and the right side resembles a crack in the earth, helping you remember both the form and meaning.
Meanings of 裂
liè(lie4)
1to split
2to crack
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 裂
裂Simplified
12Strokes
衣Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#7068Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 裂
Podcast: 裂
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AI Study Notes for 裂
Quick Contrast
裂 (liè) vs 破 (pò) — use 裂 for a clean or defined split, while 破 indicates a more chaotic or broken state.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant '裂' (liè) in the ground, like a rift where you can see the two sides separated. The left part looks like a pair of scissors (to cut), and the right side resembles a crack in the earth, helping you remember both the form and meaning.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 裂 with 破 (pò), which means 'to break' but implies more chaos or destruction. This word is more formal and typically used in written contexts, such as literature or scientific descriptions. Be careful with the tone; mispronouncing it could change its meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As 裂 is not included in the HSK word lists, focus on its related words like 破 (pò) and 分 (fēn), which deal with division and breaking. Understanding these connections will help reinforce your vocabulary around splitting and breaking concepts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of裂 can be seen in traditional stories and folklore, where cracks or splits often symbolize change or the emergence of new possibilities, reflecting philosophical ideas about transformation.
Common Mistakes
Learners might incorrectly use 裂 when they mean to say 'to break' more generally, leading to confusion with 破 (pò). For example, saying '这杯子裂了' (Zhè bēizi liè le) instead of '这杯子破了' (Zhè bēizi pò le) can be misleading, as the latter implies a more severe break.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 裂
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Grammar Patterns of 裂
裂 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 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 4
Complete the Sentence
我指甲根部的表皮龟____粗糙，指甲被咬得参差不齐。
My cuticles were split and ragged, and my nails unevenly bitten.
Cells divide and renew as part of the human growth process.
6
他一定已经知道我父母的婚姻即将破裂。
tā yī dìng yǐ jīng zhī dào wǒ fù mǔ de hūn yīn jí jiāng pò liè。
He must have been aware that my parents' marriage was breaking up.
7
他注意到机翼在一块一块地断裂。
tā zhù yì dào jī yì zài yī kuài yī kuài dì duàn liè。
He noticed that fabric was tearing away from the plane's wing.
8
在他头顶的天花板上有一道很深的裂缝。
zài tā tóu dǐng de tiān huā bǎn shàng yǒu yī dào hěn shēn de liè féng。
There was a deep crack in the ceiling above him.
9
塑料面椅子的四角上有几道小裂缝。
sù liào miàn yǐ zǐ de sì jiǎo shàng yǒu jī dào xiǎo liè féng。
The plastic-covered seat has a few small splits around the corners.
10
这4个省被严重的家族和部族纷争弄得四分五裂。
zhè4 4 gè shěng bèi yán zhòng de jiā zú hé bù zú fēn zhēng nòng dé sì fēn wǔ。
The four provinces are riven by deep family and tribal conflicts.
Cultural Notes for 裂
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of裂 can be seen in traditional stories and folklore, where cracks or splits often symbolize change or the emergence of new possibilities, reflecting philosophical ideas about transformation.
Word Family of 裂
Words Containing This Character20
分裂fēnlièto split up
裂缝lièfèngcrack裂縫
裂lièto split
破裂pòlièto rupture
断裂duànlièfracture斷裂
撕裂to tear
裂开to split open裂開
裂痕lièhéncrack
爆裂to rupture
裂纹crack裂紋
碎裂to disintegrate
裂口breach
开裂to split open開裂
决裂to rupture決裂
裂隙gap
割裂to cut apart
裂变fission裂變
身败名裂to lose one's standing身敗名裂
干裂to chap乾裂
裂解pyrolysis
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 分裂 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 裂
You can use 裂 in a sentence like '这块石头裂了' (Zhè kuài shítou liè le), meaning 'This stone has cracked.'
It's more common in written language or formal contexts rather than everyday speech, where simpler terms might be preferred.
Synonyms include 破 (pò) for 'to break' and 分 (fēn) for 'to divide,' though they may carry different connotations.
