劈

pī, pǐ

刀 + 辟

HSK 2.0Level 6

HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

pī (verb) to chop; to split; to cleave

pī (verb) (of lightning) to strike

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 刀 represents the meaning and 辟 represents the sound.

Semantic: 刀 Phonetic: 辟

About

劈 is a phonosemantic compound: 刀 (knife, blade) at the bottom indicates the meaning, while 辟 above provides the sound. It primarily functions as a verb for forceful actions, meaning to hack, chop, or split something apart, typically with a heavy blade like an axe or cleaver. Beyond literal chopping, it can describe natural splitting or metaphorical abrupt impacts, such as a lightning strike.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他把木头劈成了两半。

Tā bǎ mùtou pī chéngle liǎng bàn.

He split the wood into two halves.

哥哥正在后院劈柴。

Gēge zhèngzài hòuyuàn pī chái.

Older brother is chopping firewood in the backyard.

闪电劈中了那棵大树。

Shǎndiàn pī zhòngle nà kē dà shù.

Lightning struck that big tree.

她用斧头劈开了那个椰子。

Tā yòng fǔtou pī kāile nàgè yēzi.

She used an axe to split open that coconut.

这个动作需要先练习劈叉。

Zhège dòngzuò xūyào xiān liànxí pǐ chà.

This move requires practicing the splits first.

他的谎言把他们的关系劈出了一道裂痕。

Tā de huǎngyán bǎ tāmen de guānxi pī chūle yī dào lièhén.

His lie caused a crack in their relationship.

传闻他因为劈腿而分手了。

Chuánwén tā yīnwèi pī tuǐ ér fēnshǒu le.

Rumors say he broke up because he was cheating.

那道峡谷仿佛是巨人用斧头劈出来的。

Nà dào xiágǔ fǎngfú shì jùrén yòng fǔtou pī chūlái de.

That canyon looks as if it was carved out by a giant with an axe.

Related Characters

Component: 刀

Component: 辟

劈