拆

• Pinyin: chāi
• Hanzi breakdown: 拆 = 扌 (hand radical) + 斥 (phonetic component)

Meaning

To tear down; to dismantle; to take apart; to open (a letter/package).

Used for demolishing buildings, disassembling objects, opening packages, or breaking something apart. Common in urban development contexts with 拆迁 (demolition and relocation).

Examples

1. 他把玩具拆开想看看里面是什么构造。 He took the toy apart to see what the structure was inside.
2. 这栋老房子要被拆掉建新楼了。 This old building is going to be demolished to build a new one.
3. 快递到了，我迫不及待地把包裹拆开。 The delivery arrived, and I couldn't wait to open the package.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, construction, packages

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 把盒子拆开。(Open the box.)
• 这墙要拆掉。(This wall needs to be torn down.)

Don't Say

• 把'拆'用于撕纸——撕纸用'撕'更准确 (Don't use 拆 for tearing paper — 撕 is more accurate)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic character with 扌 (hand radical) + 斥 (phonetic), suggesting pulling apart by hand.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal