掰

• Pinyin: bāi
• Hanzi breakdown: 掰 = 扌(hand) + 分 (split) + 八 (split)

Meaning

To break off with hands; to snap; to bend.

Describes breaking something apart using hand strength, like snapping bread or breaking apart chopsticks. Also used figuratively for ending relationships (掰了 means 'broke up' in colloquial speech).

Examples

1. 她把面包掰成两半，分给了弟弟一半。 She broke the bread in half and gave one half to her younger brother.
2. 他一使劲儿就把树枝掰断了。 With one push, he snapped the branch.
3. 他俩吵了一架，彻底掰了。 After their argument, the two of them completely broke up.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, colloquial

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 把饼干掰开分着吃。(Break the cookie in half and share it.)
• 他俩掰了。(Those two broke up.)

Don't Say

• 对需要工具才能断开的东西用'掰' (Don't use 掰 for things requiring tools — it implies hand strength)

Origin & History

Composed of 扌(hand) + 分 (split) + 八 (eight/split), depicting splitting with hands.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal