HSK 7, zg, 14 strokes, radical 扌, rank #10347, Very Hard
撇
piē
to fling aside
HSK 7, zg, 14 strokes, radical 扌, rank #10347, Very Hard
撇
piē
to throw
HSK 7, zg, 14 strokes, radical 扌, rank #10347, Very Hard
撇
piē
to cast
HSK 7, zg, 14 strokes, radical 扌, rank #10347, Very Hard
撇
piē
left-slanting downward brush stroke (calligraphy)
HSK 7, zg, 14 strokes, radical 扌, rank #10347, Very Hard
撇
piē
to abandon, to discard
HSK 7, zg, 14 strokes, radical 扌, rank #10347, Very Hard
撇
piě
to cast away
HSK 7, zg, 14 strokes, radical 扌, rank #10347, Very Hard
撇
piě
to fling aside
HSK 7, zg, 14 strokes, radical 扌, rank #10347, Very Hard
撇
piě
to throw
HSK 7, zg, 14 strokes, radical 扌, rank #10347, Very Hard
撇
piě
to cast
HSK 7, zg, 14 strokes, radical 扌, rank #10347, Very Hard
撇
piě
left-slanting downward brush stroke (calligraphy)
HSK 7, zg, 14 strokes, radical 扌, rank #10347, Very Hard
撇
piě
to abandon, to discard
HSK 7, zg, 14 strokes, radical 扌, rank #10347, Very Hard
piě(pie3)pie
primary
T3
1to cast away
2to fling aside
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
撇piě(pie3)
The character 撇 (piē) primarily refers to the action of casting away or throwing something aside. In calligraphy, it specifically denotes a left-slanting downward brush stroke that is fundamental in forming various Chinese characters. This character can convey both physical actions of discarding and metaphorical senses of abandonment.
Strokes14Radical扌Frequency#10347DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese calligraphy, the 撇 stroke is essential for creating many characters and is often seen as embodying grace and fluidity. Mastering this stroke is considered a rite of passage for calligraphy students, reflecting patience and skill.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person casting away a piece of trash with a sweeping motion, where that sweeping motion resembles the left-slanting stroke of 撇. The sound 'piē' can be remembered as someone saying 'pee, eh!' in surprise as they throw something away.
Meanings of 撇
piě(pie3)
primary
1to cast away
2to fling aside
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 撇 means.
About 撇
撇Simplified
14Strokes
扌Radical
状态词zgnv (stat.)Part of Speech
#10347Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 撇
Podcast: 撇
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AI Study Notes for 撇
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 撇 with similar characters that involve downward strokes. It is more commonly used in informal contexts, but can also appear in formal writing, especially in calligraphy. Be careful with the tone; 'piē' must be pronounced with the first tone for correct meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 撇 connects to advanced vocabulary regarding actions and descriptions in both literary and colloquial contexts. Focus on its application in phrases and idioms related to abandonment or disposal to enhance understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 撇 with other brush strokes such as 捺, leading to incorrect writing of characters. For example, writing '撇' as '捺' changes the meaning entirely; ensure you practice the correct stroke order.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 撇
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How Well Do You Know 撇?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 撇 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
撇 = 扌 + 敝. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 撇
IDS Structure⿰扌敝
撇Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
敝bi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 撇?
How to say to cast away in Chinese
“to cast away” in Chinese is撇piē
The character 撇 (piē) primarily refers to the action of casting away or throwing something aside. In calligraphy, it specifically denotes a left-slanting downward brush stroke that is fundamental in forming various Chinese characters. This character can convey both physical actions of discarding and metaphorical senses of abandonment.
When to use 撇
Learners often confuse 撇 with similar characters that involve downward strokes. It is more commonly used in informal contexts, but can also appear in formal writing, especially in calligraphy. Be careful with the tone; 'piē' must be pronounced with the first tone for correct meaning.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 撇 with other brush strokes such as 捺, leading to incorrect writing of characters. For example, writing '撇' as '捺' changes the meaning entirely; ensure you practice the correct stroke order.
Write 撇
撇
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Practice writing 撇 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 撇
撇 carries 6 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 5
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我注意到她是个左____子。
I noticed she was left-handed.
Example Sentences for 撇 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我注意到她是个左撇子。
wǒ zhù yì dào tā shì gè zuǒ piē zǐ。
I noticed she was left-handed.
2
他未能干净利落地同那起攻击事件撇清关系。
tā wèi néng gān jìng lì luò dì tóng nà qǐ gōng jī shì jiàn piē qīng guān xì。
He has failed to dissociate himself clearly and unambiguously from the attack.
3
是撇开旧偏见的时候了.
shì piē kāi jiù piān jiàn de shí hòu le.
It is the time we lay aside old prejudices.
4
撇开那些情绪化的争论不谈，下面只说客观事实。
piē kāi nà xiē qíng xù huà de zhēng lùn bù tán， ， xià miàn zhī shuō kè guān shì。
"It's" (with an apostrophe) should be used only as a contraction for "it is".
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Word Family of 撇
Words Containing This Character6
撇piěto throw
左撇子left-handed
撇开to disregard撇開
撇下to cast away
撇嘴to curl one's lip
八字没一撇no sign of success yet八字沒一撇
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 撇
What does 左撇子 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 撇
撇 refers specifically to the action of throwing or discarding something, while 捨 (shě) emphasizes the act of letting go or abandoning something more emotionally.
Focus on the angle and flow of the brush stroke; practice it repeatedly in isolation before incorporating it into characters.
While not commonly used in colloquial speech, it is important in writing and calligraphy, making it relevant for students interested in those areas.
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