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March 24, 2026
捩liè(lie4)
The character 捩 (liè) primarily means 'to twist' or 'to tear,' often referring to the action of twisting something physically, such as a piece of fabric or a wire. It can also imply a sudden change or snap, making it applicable in various contexts where something is forcefully turned or broken.
Strokes11Radical扌Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese crafts, the technique of twisting fibers to create textiles can be linked to the use of 捩, emphasizing the importance of craftsmanship and physical manipulation in Chinese artistry.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'twist' in a dance performance where a dancer suddenly 'snaps' their body into a different position. The character 捩 has the radical for 'hand' (扌) on the left, suggesting the action of twisting something with your hands.
Meanings of 捩
liè(lie4)
1to twist, to tear, to snap
2tear
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 捩
捩Simplified
11Strokes
扌Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 捩
Podcast: 捩
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AI Study Notes for 捩
Quick Contrast
捏 (niē, to pinch) — use 捩 when referring to twisting or tearing, while 捏 is specifically for pinching.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'twist' in a dance performance where a dancer suddenly 'snaps' their body into a different position. The character 捩 has the radical for 'hand' (扌) on the left, suggesting the action of twisting something with your hands.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 捩 (liè) with similar characters like 扭 (niǔ), which also means to twist but carries different connotations. Use 捩 in contexts that involve breaking or tearing, while 扭 is more about turning or bending without breaking.
HSK Study Tips
捩 is not included in the HSK levels, but it connects well with other physical action verbs you might encounter, such as 扭 (niǔ) and 抓 (zhuā). Focus on context when using 捩 to describe actions involving twisting or tearing.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese crafts, the technique of twisting fibers to create textiles can be linked to the use of 捩, emphasizing the importance of craftsmanship and physical manipulation in Chinese artistry.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 捩 interchangeably with other verbs like 扭 or 撕 (sī, to tear), leading to confusion. For example, saying '我把纸捩开了' (I twisted the paper open) is incorrect; it should be '撕开了' (tore it open).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 捩
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Cultural Notes for 捩
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese crafts, the technique of twisting fibers to create textiles can be linked to the use of 捩, emphasizing the importance of craftsmanship and physical manipulation in Chinese artistry.
Word Family of 捩
Words Containing This Character2
转捩点turning point轉捩點
捩liètear
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 转捩点 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 捩
You could say: '他把绳子捩断了' (He twisted the rope and broke it).
捩 is generally used in informal contexts when describing physical actions. In more formal writing, you might choose synonyms depending on the context.
