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March 24, 2026
割gē(ge1)
The character 割 (gē) primarily means 'to cut' or 'to divide,' often in a physical sense, such as cutting meat or paper. It can also imply partitioning or ceding something, such as territory or rights. This character is commonly used in both everyday situations and formal contexts, especially in discussions about agreements or separations.
Strokes12Radical刂Frequency#2669DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese history, the act of 割 (gē) can symbolize significant events, such as the ceding of land or territory in treaties. Understanding this character can provide insight into the cultural significance of territorial disputes in Chinese history.
Memory Tip
Imagine a pair of scissors cutting through a piece of paper with the sound 'gē' echoing in your mind. The '割' character has the radical for 'knife' (刀) on the left side, which directly relates to the act of cutting. Visualize a knife slicing through something to reinforce the meaning.
Meanings of 割
gē(ge1)
1to cut
2to cut apart
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 割
割Simplified
12Strokes
刂Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2669Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 割
Podcast: 割
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AI Study Notes for 割
Quick Contrast
割 (gē, to cut) vs 切 (qiē, to slice) — use 割 for cutting in a more general or partitioning sense, while 切 is more specific to slicing or cutting into pieces.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a pair of scissors cutting through a piece of paper with the sound 'gē' echoing in your mind. The '割' character has the radical for 'knife' (刀) on the left side, which directly relates to the act of cutting. Visualize a knife slicing through something to reinforce the meaning.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is confusing 割 (gē) with 切 (qiē), which also means 'to cut' but is used in different contexts, such as cutting food into smaller pieces. Ensure to use 割 when referring to more significant separations or territorial divisions. The tone is crucial; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 割 connects to other advanced vocabulary related to actions and processes, such as 切 (qiē) and 断 (duàn). Students should focus on differentiating these terms based on the context in which they are used, particularly in formal writings or discussions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese history, the act of 割 (gē) can symbolize significant events, such as the ceding of land or territory in treaties. Understanding this character can provide insight into the cultural significance of territorial disputes in Chinese history.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 割 with 切 when talking about cutting food, using 割 incorrectly in casual cooking contexts. The correct term for cutting food is 切 (qiē), while 割 should be reserved for more significant separations.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 割
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Grammar Patterns of 割
割 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 3 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
钻石切____靠的是工匠的技艺。
The cut of a diamond depends on the skill of its craftsman.
Example Sentences for 割 (10)
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1
钻石切割靠的是工匠的技艺。
zuān shí qiē gē kào de shì gōng jiàng de jì yì。
The cut of a diamond depends on the skill of its craftsman.
2
雪花如刀割般刮在他的脸上，他绷紧了双肩。
xuě huā rú dāo gē bān guā zài tā de liǎn shàng， ， tā bēng jǐn le shuāng。
He braced his shoulders as the snow slashed across his face.
The Convention of Peking in 1860 , which ended the hostilities, provided for its outright cession.
Cultural Notes for 割
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese history, the act of 割 (gē) can symbolize significant events, such as the ceding of land or territory in treaties. Understanding this character can provide insight into the cultural significance of territorial disputes in Chinese history.
Word Family of 割
Words Containing This Character20
割gēto cut
分割fēngēto cut up
切割qiēgēto cut
收割to harvest
割断to cut off割斷
交割delivery (commerce)
割伤to gash割傷
割舍to give up割捨
阉割to castrate閹割
不可分割inalienable
割裂to cut apart
割草机lawn mower (machine)割草機
宰割to slaughter
割据to secede割據
任人宰割rènrénzǎigēto get trampled on (idiom)
黄金分割golden ratio黃金分割
割让to cede割讓
忍痛割爱to resign oneself to part with what one treasures忍痛割愛
心如刀割to be torn with grief
割除to amputate
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 割 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 割
Common phrases include '割席断交' (gē xí duàn jiāo), which means to sever ties or relationships.
Yes, 割 is frequently used in both spoken and written Chinese, especially in discussions about cutting or dividing.
Yes, it can be used metaphorically to refer to severing relationships or connections.
