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碴 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
碴cháquarrel; fault; a shard of glassn, 14 strokes, radical 石, rank #30765, Very Hard
碴cháglass fragmentunknown, 14 strokes, radical 石, rank #30765, Very Hard
chá(cha2) T2
  1. 1quarrel; fault; a shard of glass
  2. 2glass fragment
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

碴chá(cha2)

The character 碴 (chá) generally refers to small fragments or shards, especially of glass or ceramics. It can also imply a quarrel or fault, often in interpersonal relationships. This word is used in contexts where something has been broken or damaged, both physically and metaphorically.

Strokes14Radical石Frequency#30765DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, quarrels can be viewed differently compared to Western norms, often emphasizing maintaining harmony and face (面子) over direct confrontation. This character reflects the subtlety of how disputes may be framed in a conversation.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'shard' of glass (碴) that has 'cha' (茶) spilled on it during a heated argument. The sharp edge of the glass represents the 'fault' in the relationship, while the tea symbolizes the heated emotions during a quarrel.

Meanings of 碴

chá(cha2)
1quarrel; fault; a shard of glass
2glass fragment
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 碴

碴Simplified
14Strokes
石Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 碴

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Podcast: 碴

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 碴

Quick Contrast

碎 (suì) - use 碴 (chá) for small fragments or shards, while 碎 (suì) generally refers to something that is broken into many pieces.

Usage Notes

Learners may confuse 碴 with similar-sounding words, especially in informal contexts. It’s more commonly used in spoken language and can carry a negative connotation when referring to quarrels. Be careful with tone, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

Although 碴 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, it relates to words that describe physical states or conflicts, enhancing understanding of emotional expressions in Mandarin. Focus on the context of quarrels and physical fragments when studying.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 碴 with 碴 (chā) and other similar sounding words, using it inappropriately in formal contexts. For instance, saying '我和她有很多碴' (I have many shards with her) instead of '我和她有很多争吵' (I have many quarrels with her).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 碴

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Etymology of 碴

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 石 represents the meaning and 查 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

stone

Semantic (meaning)石
+
Phonetic (sound)查
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 碴

Phonosemantic compound. 石 represents the meaning and 查 represents the sound.

  1. 1The meaning half石 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half查 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaystone
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 碴? 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 碴?

Decomposition of 碴

IDS Structure⿰石查
碴Full Character
=
石dan4
left
查cha2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 碴?

How to say quarrel; fault; a shard of glass in Chinese

“quarrel; fault; a shard of glass” in Chinese is碴chá

The character 碴 (chá) generally refers to small fragments or shards, especially of glass or ceramics. It can also imply a quarrel or fault, often in interpersonal relationships. This word is used in contexts where something has been broken or damaged, both physically and metaphorically.

When to use 碴

Learners may confuse 碴 with similar-sounding words, especially in informal contexts. It’s more commonly used in spoken language and can carry a negative connotation when referring to quarrels. Be careful with tone, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning entirely.

碴 or something close to it

碎 (suì) - use 碴 (chá) for small fragments or shards, while 碎 (suì) generally refers to something that is broken into many pieces.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 碴 with 碴 (chā) and other similar sounding words, using it inappropriately in formal contexts. For instance, saying '我和她有很多碴' (I have many shards with her) instead of '我和她有很多争吵' (I have many quarrels with her).

Write 碴

碴

Practice writing 碴 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 碴

碴 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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 4

Complete the Sentence

他的头发又长又乱，脸上胡子拉____。

He had long unkempt hair and a stubbly chin.

Example Sentences for 碴 (5)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他的头发又长又乱，脸上胡子拉碴。

tā de tóu fā yòu cháng yòu luàn， ， liǎn shàng hú zǐ lā。

He had long unkempt hair and a stubbly chin.
2
他几天没刮胡子，脸上胡子拉碴。

tā jī tiān méi guā hú zǐ， ， liǎn shàng hú zǐ lā。

His face was covered with the stubble of several nights.
3
他找碴儿跟服务生打了一架，最后进了监狱。

tā zhǎo chá ér gēn fú wù shēng dǎ le yī jià， ， zuì hòu jìn le jiān。

He picked a fight with a waiter and landed in jail.
4
这些胡子拉碴的司机彼此对骂着, 那些话听了叫人毛发倒竖,十分恶心.

zhè xiē hú zǐ lā chá de sī jī bǐ cǐ duì mà zháo, , nà xiē huà tīng le jiào rén máo fā dǎo, shù , shí fēn.

Unshaven bus drivers poured loathsome, hair - raising curses out at each other.
5
这位身体高大、胡须拉碴的人耸了耸肩.

zhè wèi shēn tǐ gāo dà、 、 hú xū lā chá de rén sǒng le sǒng.

The big beared man shrugged.

Word Family of 碴

Words Containing This Character4
碴cháfault
找碴to pick fault with
冰碴ice shards
找碴儿to pick a quarrel找碴兒
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 碴 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 碴

Besides referring to shards of glass, 碴 can also mean faults in relationships or quarreling.

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