Meaning
裂 describes the action of something splitting, cracking, or breaking apart, or the state of being cracked or split. It can refer to physical objects breaking (like glass or wood), natural phenomena (like the earth cracking), or figurative splitting (like relationships breaking down).
Usage
裂 is commonly used in both literal contexts (物体裂开了 - the object cracked) and figurative ones (关系破裂 - relationship broke down). It frequently appears in compound words and is more formal than colloquial equivalents. Often combined with other verbs like 分裂 (to split apart) or 破裂 (to rupture).
Examples
- 01墙上出现了一道裂缝。.A crack appeared in the wall.
- 02他们的关系已经破裂了。.Their relationship has already broken down.
Measure words
- 道一道裂缝
- 条一条裂缝
Common collocations
- 破裂to rupture, to break
- 分裂to split, to divide
- 裂开to crack open, to split open
- 撕裂to tear apart
Antonyms
Origin
The character 裂 is composed of 衣 (clothing) on the outside and 列 (to arrange in rows) inside. The original meaning related to tearing or splitting cloth, which extended to mean any kind of splitting or cracking.