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挑拨 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
挑拨tiǎobōto incite disharmonyHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #26354, Very Hard
挑拨tiǎobōto instigateHSK 7, v, 17 strokes, rank #26354, Very Hard
tiǎobō(tiao3bo1)tiao bo T3
  1. 1to incite disharmony
  2. 2to instigate
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March 24, 2026

挑拨(挑撥)tiǎobō(tiao3bo1)

The verb 挑拨 (tiǎobō) means to incite or instigate disharmony or conflict between individuals or groups. It is often used in contexts involving manipulation or provocation, where one party tries to create discord for personal gain or to influence outcomes.

Strokes17Frequency#26354DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of harmony is highly valued, and the act of 挑拨 is seen as particularly harmful as it disrupts social cohesion. This aligns with Confucian ideals where maintaining harmony is essential in personal and societal relationships.

Memory tip

Think of 挑拨 as '挑' (to pick) and '拨' (to pull). Imagine someone picking at a wound and pulling it apart to make it worse, symbolizing the act of instigating conflict. The pronunciation 'tiǎobō' can remind you of 'teasing a bobcat' which incites trouble.

Meanings of 挑拨

tiǎobō(tiao3bo1)
1to incite disharmony
2to instigate
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 挑拨

挑拨Simplified
挑撥Traditional
17Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#26354Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 挑拨

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Podcast: 挑拨

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AI study notes for 挑拨

Quick Contrast

煽动 (shāndòng) - use 挑拨 when emphasizing instigating discord between parties, while 煽动 focuses more on inciting action or agitation.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone of this word; it typically carries a negative connotation. It’s commonly used in both formal and informal contexts but is more prevalent in discussions about politics or interpersonal relationships. Avoid using it lightly, as it may imply serious accusations.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 挑拨 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to conflict and relationships. Focus on understanding its nuances and how it can be used to describe intentional actions versus unintentional misunderstandings.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 挑拨 with 促进 (cùjìn, to promote), mistakenly using it in contexts where they mean to encourage positive actions. For example, saying '他在挑拨关系' (He is promoting relationships) is incorrect; it should be '他在挑拨关系' in a negative context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 挑拨

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Component characters

挑tiāoto carry on a shoulder pole
HSK 59 strokes扌
View full entry
拨bōto push aside with the hand, foot, a stick etc
HSK 78 strokes扌
View full entry

How to say to incite disharmony in Chinese

“to incite disharmony” in Chinese is挑拨tiǎobō

The verb 挑拨 (tiǎobō) means to incite or instigate disharmony or conflict between individuals or groups. It is often used in contexts involving manipulation or provocation, where one party tries to create discord for personal gain or to influence outcomes.

When to use 挑拨

Be cautious with the tone of this word; it typically carries a negative connotation. It’s commonly used in both formal and informal contexts but is more prevalent in discussions about politics or interpersonal relationships. Avoid using it lightly, as it may imply serious accusations.

挑拨 or something close to it

煽动 (shāndòng) - use 挑拨 when emphasizing instigating discord between parties, while 煽动 focuses more on inciting action or agitation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 挑拨 with 促进 (cùjìn, to promote), mistakenly using it in contexts where they mean to encourage positive actions. For example, saying '他在挑拨关系' (He is promoting relationships) is incorrect; it should be '他在挑拨关系' in a negative context.

Write 挑拨

挑
拨

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

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Grammar patterns of 挑拨

挑拨 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 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 1

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

我开始觉得托比在____我们之间的关系。

I started to feel Toby was driving a wedge between us.

Example sentences for 挑拨 (1)

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1
我开始觉得托比在挑拨我们之间的关系。

wǒ kāishǐ juéde tuō bǐ zài tiǎobō wǒmen zhījiān de guānxì。

I started to feel Toby was driving a wedge between us.

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Cultural Notes for 挑拨

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, inciting conflict may be viewed more as a tactic in competitive environments, whereas in Chinese culture, it is often seen as a betrayal of social harmony and respect.

Frequently asked questions about 挑拨

No, 挑拨 is inherently negative and suggests malicious intent to create conflict.

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