HSK · Level 39
120 words
Chinese word
裂
Pronunciation
Pinyinliè
Meaning
- verbtear
Example
跑步时我的衣服裂了。pǎo bù shí wǒ de yī fú liè le
My clothes tore while I was running.
More examples
他不小心把信封裂开了。tā bù xiǎo xīn bǎ xìn fēng liè kāi le
He accidentally tore open the envelope.
Core concept
Something that should remain whole opens along a line, leaving a gap or separate parts.
Common phrases
裂开liè kāi
tear open
裂成两半liè chéng liǎng bàn
tear in half
Similar words
破pò: Become damaged or broken enough to lose shape or use.
破裂pò liè: Break open suddenly from pressure or force, scattering or damaging what is inside.
撕sī: Separate something by pulling its material apart with the hands or a tool.
裂开liè kāi: Open along a split, creating a gap between the separated parts.
Definition in Chinese
表示从整体上出现裂痕或裂口导致分离或开裂的动作或结果，侧重于裂开的事实或状态。biǎo shì cóng zhéng tǐ shàng chū xiàn liè hén huò liè kǒu dǎo zhì fēn lí huò kāi liè de dòng zuò huò jié guǒ cè zhòng yú liè kāi de shì shí huò zhuàng tài
Word origin
衣 (yī, "clothing") + 列 (liè, "row") form a phonetic-semantic character: 衣 points to clothing and 列 supplies the sound, making a torn garment a useful starting image for its wider meaning.
Usage tips
- Because this word describes a change in condition, it fits descriptions of a seam, screen, wall, or other item that has developed a break without specifying who caused it.