Definitions

(verb) to cut; to slice

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 割 is a phono-semantic compound with the knife radical 刂 on the right, placing it in the semantic category of cutting or severing. The left component 害, meaning harm, primarily provides the phonetic element while also hinting at the action's forceful nature. Its core meaning refers to physically cutting or slicing with a blade, as in harvesting crops, butchering meat, or cutting grass. This concept extends metaphorically to dividing territories, severing relationships, or relinquishing property, all describing a decisive, often forceful separation.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我正在草。

Wǒ zhèngzài gē cǎo.

I am mowing the grass.

断了绳子。

Tā gēduàn le shéngzi.

He cut the rope.

农民收稻子。

Nóngmín shōugē dàozi.

Farmers harvest rice.

舍过去很难。

Gēshě guòqù hěn nán.

It is hard to give up the past.

这块土地被让了。

Zhè kuài tǔdì bèi gēràng le.

This piece of land was ceded.

裂历史是错误的。

Gēliè lìshǐ shì cuòwù de.

Splitting history is wrong.

几何中线是重要的。

Jǐhé zhōng gēxiàn shì zhòngyào de.

In geometry, secant lines are important.

据势力导致分裂。

Gējù shìlì dǎozhì fēnliè.

Separatist forces lead to division.