Definitions

chāi (verb) to tear open; to tear down; to tear apart

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "拆" is constructed from the hand radical (扌) combined with the component 斥, which carries connotations of prying open or expelling, directly illustrating its core meaning of using manual force to pull something apart or open. Its fundamental sense has always been to dismantle, break open, or tear down physical structures, such as walls or buildings. Over time, this concrete action evolved to encompass more abstract applications, including the idea of dismantling arrangements or systems, and in specific contexts, it acquired the meaning of exposing or revealing something hidden, as in revealing a secret or opening a letter. The structural logic of the character has remained consistent, with its components continuing to visually suggest the act of applying force to separate one thing from another.

Example Sentences Hide

开了包裹。

Wǒ chāi kāi le bāoguǒ.

I unpacked the package.

掉了旧房子。

Tā chāi diào le jiù fángzi.

He demolished the old house.

工人正在迁这片区域。

Gōngrén zhèngzài chāi qiān zhè piàn qūyù.

Workers are demolishing and relocating this area.

请小心卸这个机器。

Qǐng xiǎoxīn chāi xiè zhège jīqì.

Please carefully disassemble this machine.

他们决定除违章建筑。

Tāmen juédìng chāi chú wéizhāng jiànzhù.

They decided to demolish the illegal construction.

散别人的家庭是不道德的。

Chāi sàn biérén de jiātíng shì bù dàodé de.

It is immoral to break up other people's families.

这座城市计划迁老旧街区。

Zhè zuò chéngshì jìhuà chāi qiān lǎo jiù jiēqū.

This city plans to demolish and relocate the old blocks.

解复杂问题时需要耐心。

Zài chāi jiě fùzá wèntí shí xūyào nàixīn.

When dismantling complex problems, patience is needed.