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破除 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
破除pòchúto eliminateHSK 7, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #20321, Very Hard
破除pòchúto do away withHSK 7, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #20321, Very Hard
破除pòchúto get rid ofHSK 7, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #20321, Very Hard
pòchú(po4chu2)po chu T4
  1. 1to eliminate
  2. 2to do away with
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March 24, 2026

破除pòchú(po4chu2)

破除 (pòchú) means to eliminate or get rid of something undesirable, often used in contexts involving outdated customs, beliefs, or barriers. It emphasizes destruction or removal, typically in a social or cultural context, aiming for progress or improvement.

Strokes19Frequency#20321DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, 破除 is often associated with the movement to discard traditional superstitions and outdated practices, especially during periods of modernization, such as the May Fourth Movement.

Memory tip

Think of 破 (pò) as breaking something and 除 (chú) as removing it. Visualize a person breaking down a wall (破) to remove old, unwanted beliefs (除) to make space for new ideas. The '4' in pò sounds like 'po' in 'poke', as if poking a hole in a barrier to eliminate it.

Meanings of 破除

pòchú(po4chu2)
1to eliminate
2to do away with
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About 破除

破除Simplified
19Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 破除

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AI study notes for 破除

Quick Contrast

破除 (pòchú) vs 消除 (xiāochú) — use 破除 for eliminating outdated customs or beliefs, while 消除 is more general for removing anything undesirable.

Usage Notes

破除 is typically used in formal contexts, such as discussions about reform or societal change. Common collocations include 破除迷信 (pòchú míxìn - eliminate superstition) and 破除障碍 (pòchú zhàng'ài - eliminate barriers). Be careful with pronunciation; the fourth tone on 破 can be easily confused with other tones.

HSK Study Tips

Although 破除 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it connects with vocabulary related to social issues and reform found in higher levels. Students should focus on understanding the context in which this term is used, as well as practicing related phrases.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 破除 in informal contexts where simpler verbs like 去掉 (qùdiào - to take away) would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我想破除这道菜' (I want to eliminate this dish) is incorrect; a better phrase would be '我想去掉这道菜'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 破除

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Component characters

破pòbroken
HSK 410 strokes石
View full entry
除chúto get rid of
HSK 69 strokes阝
View full entry

How to say to eliminate in Chinese

“to eliminate” in Chinese is破除pòchú

破除 (pòchú) means to eliminate or get rid of something undesirable, often used in contexts involving outdated customs, beliefs, or barriers. It emphasizes destruction or removal, typically in a social or cultural context, aiming for progress or improvement.

When to use 破除

破除 is typically used in formal contexts, such as discussions about reform or societal change. Common collocations include 破除迷信 (pòchú míxìn - eliminate superstition) and 破除障碍 (pòchú zhàng'ài - eliminate barriers). Be careful with pronunciation; the fourth tone on 破 can be easily confused with other tones.

破除 or something close to it

破除 (pòchú) vs 消除 (xiāochú) — use 破除 for eliminating outdated customs or beliefs, while 消除 is more general for removing anything undesirable.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 破除 in informal contexts where simpler verbs like 去掉 (qùdiào - to take away) would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我想破除这道菜' (I want to eliminate this dish) is incorrect; a better phrase would be '我想去掉这道菜'.

Write 破除

破
除

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Frequently asked questions about 破除

Not exactly; while both mean to eliminate, 破除 emphasizes breaking down barriers or customs, whereas 消除 generally refers to removing or eliminating something less tangible, like feelings or problems.

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