裂

• Pinyin: liè
• Hanzi breakdown: 裂 = 列 (row, phonetic) + 衣 (clothes), to split/crack

Meaning

To crack; to split; to break apart. Describing physical fractures or metaphorical divisions.

Physical: 破裂 (rupture), 裂开 (split open), 裂缝 (crack/crevice), 裂痕 (crack/rift). Metaphorical: 分裂 (divide/split), 决裂 (break off). Used for relationships, organizations, and physical objects. 撕裂 means 'to tear apart.'

Examples

1. 冬天嘴唇容易裂开，记得多涂润唇膏。 In winter, lips easily crack; remember to apply lip balm more often.
2. 地震造成建筑物的墙壁出现了多处裂缝。 The earthquake caused multiple cracks to appear in the building walls.
3. 他们两个因为理念不同最终决裂，再也不来往了。 The two of them eventually had a falling out due to different philosophies and no longer keep in touch.

Usage Guide

Context: damage, relationships, physical description

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 杯子裂了一条缝。(The cup has a crack in it.)
• 他们的关系已经破裂。(Their relationship has broken down.)

Don't Say

• 把裂和烈混淆 (裂 = crack/split; 烈 = fierce/intense — different characters)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic: 衣 (clothes) + 列 (phonetic). Original meaning was to tear clothes, extended to any splitting.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal