pītuǐ: 劈腿 - To Cheat (in a relationship), To Two-Time

Keywords: 劈腿, pītuǐ, cheating in Chinese, two-timing, infidelity Chinese, Chinese slang for cheating, what does pītuǐ mean, 劈腿 meaning, relationship slang China, 脚踏两条船, 出轨.

Summary: Discover the meaning of 劈腿 (pītuǐ), a popular and vivid Chinese slang term for cheating or two-timing in a romantic relationship. Literally meaning “to do the splits,” this term paints a powerful visual of someone trying to be in two relationships at once. This guide breaks down its cultural context, practical usage in modern conversation, and compares it to related terms like 出轨 (chūguǐ) to provide a deep understanding for any learner of Chinese.

Pinyin (with tone marks): pītuǐ

Part of Speech: Verb

HSK Level: N/A (Colloquial slang)

Concise Definition: To be unfaithful in a romantic relationship by dating two or more people at the same time.

In a Nutshell: Imagine a gymnast doing the splits, with one leg stretched out in one direction and the other leg in a completely different one. 劈腿 (pītuǐ) takes this physical image and applies it to relationships. It vividly describes a person who is “splitting” their time and affection between two romantic partners, effectively “standing” in two relationships at once. It's the most common, informal, and direct way to talk about cheating or two-timing in modern Mandarin.

劈 (pī): To split, to chop, or to cleave. This character implies a forceful, decisive action, like an axe splitting a log of wood.

腿 (tuǐ): Leg.

The two characters literally combine to mean “split the legs,” the action of doing a gymnastic or martial arts split. Metaphorically, this striking physical image was extended to the realm of romance, where a person's romantic life is “split” between two people.

A Modern and Visual Slang: Unlike more traditional or formal terms for infidelity like 出轨 (chūguǐ), 劈腿 (pītuǐ) is a product of modern, informal language, likely gaining popularity through Taiwanese pop culture and media. Its power lies in its blunt, visual, and slightly humorous metaphor, which makes it memorable and widely used, especially among younger generations.

Comparison to “Two-Timing”: The closest English equivalent is “two-timing.” Both are informal and describe the act of dating two people concurrently. However, “two-timing” doesn't carry the same strong, physical imagery as 劈腿. The mental picture of “doing the splits” is uniquely Chinese and much more graphic. While English might use “cheating” or “having an affair,” these terms lack the specific, slangy flavor of pītuǐ.

Social Norms: In Chinese culture, loyalty and faithfulness in relationships are highly valued. The act of 劈腿 is strongly condemned. The popularity of such a direct and somewhat playful term reflects how this topic is often handled in modern society: through gossip among friends, dramatic plotlines in TV shows, and sensational celebrity news, rather than in somber, formal discussions.

Formality: 劈腿 is highly informal and colloquial. It is perfectly appropriate to use with friends, peers, or when discussing pop culture. You would not use it in a formal report, a serious academic discussion, or when speaking to an elder about a sensitive matter. In those cases, the term 出轨 (chūguǐ) would be more suitable.

Connotation: The term is strongly negative. It is used to accuse, condemn, or describe the act of infidelity. There is no positive or neutral context for using 劈腿 in its figurative sense.

Common Scenarios: You will hear 劈腿 constantly in conversations about relationships, breakups, celebrity scandals, and in the lyrics of pop songs and the plots of TV dramas. It's a cornerstone of modern relationship vocabulary.

Literal vs. Figurative: The biggest pitfall for a learner is confusing the literal meaning (“to do the splits”) with the figurative one (“to cheat”). Context is everything. If the conversation is about gymnastics, dance, or martial arts, it's likely literal. If it's about relationships, it's definitely figurative.

劈腿 vs. One-Night Stand: While 劈腿 can be used broadly for any act of infidelity, its core meaning strongly implies an ongoing, concurrent relationship with two people (i.e., “two-timing”). For a one-time act of infidelity, a term like `一夜情 (yīyèqíng - one-night stand)` might be more specific, although 劈腿 could still be used as a general accusation.

出轨 (chūguǐ): Literally “to leave the tracks (of a train).” This is the more formal and standard term for having an affair or being unfaithful. It's the “proper” way to say it.

脚踏两条船 (jiǎo tà liǎng tiáo chuán): A chengyu (idiom) meaning “to have a foot in two boats.” It has the exact same meaning as 劈腿 but is a more traditional, idiomatic expression.

小三 (xiǎosān): “Little three.” The slang term for the third person in a love triangle; the mistress or the “other man/woman.” If someone is 劈腿, they are doing it with a 小三.

渣男 (zhānán) / 渣女 (zhānǚ): “Scum man” / “Scum woman.” A popular internet slang term for a man or woman who is a terrible romantic partner, often by being a player, lying, or, very commonly, 劈腿.

绿帽子 (lǜ màozi): “Green hat.” A culturally specific and important concept. A man whose wife or girlfriend is cheating on him is said to be “wearing a green hat” (`戴绿帽子 dài lǜ màozi`).

外遇 (wàiyù): “External encounter.” A term for an extramarital affair, similar in formality to 出轨.

分手 (fēnshǒu): To break up. The most common result of a 劈腿 situation.

作弊 (zuòbì): To cheat (on a test, in a game). The term for non-romantic cheating. It is essential to distinguish this from 劈腿.