HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 衣, rank #7068, Very Hard
裂
liè
to crack
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 衣, rank #7068, Very Hard
裂
liè
to break open
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 衣, rank #7068, Very Hard
裂
liè
to rend
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 衣, rank #7068, Very Hard
裂
liè
to split, to rend; crevice, crack
HSK 7, v, 12 strokes, radical 衣, rank #7068, Very Hard
liè(lie4) T4
1to split
2to crack
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March 24, 2026
裂liè(lie4)
The character 裂 (liè) primarily means 'to split' or 'to crack.' It is commonly used in contexts where something is torn apart or broken open, such as a fissure in the earth or a split in fabric. The nuance often implies a clean or defined break rather than a chaotic or messy one.
Strokes12Radical衣Frequency#7068DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of裂 can be seen in traditional stories and folklore, where cracks or splits often symbolize change or the emergence of new possibilities, reflecting philosophical ideas about transformation.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant '裂' (liè) in the ground, like a rift where you can see the two sides separated. The left part looks like a pair of scissors (to cut), and the right side resembles a crack in the earth, helping you remember both the form and meaning.
Meanings of 裂
liè(lie4)
1to split
2to crack
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 裂
裂Simplified
12Strokes
衣Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#7068Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 裂
Podcast: 裂
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AI Study Notes for 裂
Quick Contrast
裂 (liè) vs 破 (pò) — use 裂 for a clean or defined split, while 破 indicates a more chaotic or broken state.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 裂 with 破 (pò), which means 'to break' but implies more chaos or destruction. This word is more formal and typically used in written contexts, such as literature or scientific descriptions. Be careful with the tone; mispronouncing it could change its meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As 裂 is not included in the HSK word lists, focus on its related words like 破 (pò) and 分 (fēn), which deal with division and breaking. Understanding these connections will help reinforce your vocabulary around splitting and breaking concepts.
Common Mistakes
Learners might incorrectly use 裂 when they mean to say 'to break' more generally, leading to confusion with 破 (pò). For example, saying '这杯子裂了' (Zhè bēizi liè le) instead of '这杯子破了' (Zhè bēizi pò le) can be misleading, as the latter implies a more severe break.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 裂
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Phonosemantic compound. 衣 represents the meaning and 列 represents the sound.
1The meaning half衣 carries the sense.
2The sound half列 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaycloth
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 裂? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
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Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 裂?
Decomposition of 裂
IDS Structure⿱列衣
裂Full Character
=
列lie4
top
衣yi1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 裂?
How to say to split in Chinese
“to split” in Chinese is裂liè
The character 裂 (liè) primarily means 'to split' or 'to crack.' It is commonly used in contexts where something is torn apart or broken open, such as a fissure in the earth or a split in fabric. The nuance often implies a clean or defined break rather than a chaotic or messy one.
When to use 裂
Learners often confuse 裂 with 破 (pò), which means 'to break' but implies more chaos or destruction. This word is more formal and typically used in written contexts, such as literature or scientific descriptions. Be careful with the tone; mispronouncing it could change its meaning.
裂 or something close to it
裂 (liè) vs 破 (pò) — use 裂 for a clean or defined split, while 破 indicates a more chaotic or broken state.
What learners get wrong
Learners might incorrectly use 裂 when they mean to say 'to break' more generally, leading to confusion with 破 (pò). For example, saying '这杯子裂了' (Zhè bēizi liè le) instead of '这杯子破了' (Zhè bēizi pò le) can be misleading, as the latter implies a more severe break.
Write 裂
裂
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Practice writing 裂 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 裂
裂 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 5 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
我指甲根部的表皮龟____粗糙，指甲被咬得参差不齐。
My cuticles were split and ragged, and my nails unevenly bitten.
