verb / noun HSK 5
Traditional 破曉
daybreak · dawn · to break (of day)
Meaning
破晓 literally means 'to break the dawn' and refers to the moment when darkness gives way to light at the beginning of day. It's a slightly literary and poetic term used to describe the transition from night to morning.
Usage
This word is more formal and literary than everyday alternatives like 天亮. It appears frequently in written Chinese, poetry, news reports, and formal speech. The verbal usage emphasizes the action of dawn breaking, while the nominal usage refers to the time period itself.
Examples
- 01他们计划在破晓时分出发。.They plan to set out at daybreak.
- 02东方刚刚破晓，村庄就热闹起来了。, .As soon as dawn broke in the east, the village became lively.
Characters
Common collocations
- 破晓时分at the break of dawn
- 破晓前before daybreak
- 东方破晓dawn breaks in the east
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines 破 (to break) with 晓 (dawn), creating a vivid image of daylight 'breaking through' the darkness of night. This metaphorical usage of 破 is common in Classical Chinese poetry.