扒

• Pinyin: bā
• Hanzi breakdown: 扒 = 扌(hand) + 八 (split)

Meaning

To scratch; to dig; to strip off; to cling to.

A versatile verb with multiple meanings: to scratch or scrape, to pull apart, to remove (clothing/skin), to cling or hang onto. Also used in cooking (扒 as a braising technique). In slang, 扒 means to dig up information about someone.

Examples

1. 猫把沙发扒得都是痕迹。 The cat scratched the sofa until it was covered in marks.
2. 网友们把他的黑历史都扒出来了。 Netizens dug up all his dark history.
3. 小孩扒着窗户往外看。 The child clung to the window looking outside.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, internet

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 有人把他的底细全扒出来了。(Someone dug up all his background.)
• 别扒着门不让我进去。(Stop blocking the door and let me in.)

Don't Say

• 混淆扒(bā)和扒(pá)的读音 (Note: 扒 can also be read as pá in some contexts like 扒手 pickpocket)

Origin & History

Composed of 扌(hand) + 八 (split), originally meaning to push apart with hands.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal