破

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pò: 破 - To Break, Broken, Worn-out, To Defeat

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: 破, pò, break, broken, damage, defeat, expose, tattered, worn-out, Chinese verb, Chinese character, learn Chinese, HSK 3, breakthrough
  • Summary: Discover the versatile Chinese character 破 (pò), a fundamental term for any Mandarin learner. While its core meaning is “to break” or “broken,” this page explores its rich applications, from describing a worn-out jacket and breaking a world record to defeating an enemy and seeing through a lie. Learn how this single character captures concepts of rupture, breakthrough, and exposure in both literal and figurative senses, complete with practical examples, cultural insights, and common mistakes to avoid.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): pò
  • Part of Speech: Verb, Adjective
  • HSK Level: HSK 3 (as a standalone character), used in HSK 4+ vocabulary like 破坏 (pòhuài).
  • Concise Definition: To break, damage, or destroy; or describing something as broken, tattered, or worn-out.
  • In a Nutshell: 破 (pò) is your go-to character for the idea of “breaking.” Think of it as creating a hole, a tear, or a rupture. Physically, a window can be 破, or your jeans can be 破. Metaphorically, you can 破 a record, 破 a code, or even have your plans fall 破 (fail). It carries a strong sense of breaching a previously intact state.

Character Breakdown

  • 破 (pò): This character is a phono-semantic compound, meaning one part gives the meaning and the other gives the sound.
    • 石 (shí): The radical on the left means “stone.” This provides the semantic clue, suggesting the use of force or a hard object to cause breaking.
    • 皮 (pí): The component on the right means “skin” or “peel.” Here, it primarily provides the phonetic sound for pò.
  • You can create a simple story to remember it: using a stone (石) to break the skin (皮) of something, causing it to rupture. This visual powerfully captures the essence of 破.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • The Spirit of “No Retreat”: 破 is central to one of China's most famous historical idioms: 破釜沉舟 (pò fǔ chén zhōu), which literally means “to break the cauldrons and sink the boats.” It originates from a story about General Xiang Yu, who ordered his troops to destroy their cooking pots and sink their transport ships after crossing a river to engage in battle. This ensured there was no possibility of retreat, forcing his army to fight to the death and securing a decisive victory. Today, it signifies burning one's bridges and showing absolute determination to succeed against all odds.
  • Western Comparison: In English, we have the concept of a “breakthrough,” which aligns well with the Chinese term 突破 (tūpò). However, 破 itself is more fundamental. While “break” in English is a common verb, it doesn't carry the same weight in cultural idioms about determination as 破釜沉舟. The Chinese usage often implies a more dramatic and committed act of “breaking” from a prior state, whether it's a military formation, a social norm, or a personal limitation.
  • Breaking the Old: The term 破旧立新 (pò jiù lì xīn), “destroy the old and establish the new,” has been a powerful slogan in various Chinese social and political movements. It reflects a cultural value placed on the ability to break from outdated traditions to make way for progress, a theme recurrent throughout modern Chinese history.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • Describing Worn-Out Things (Adjective): This is a very common, informal usage. If something is old, tattered, or in poor condition, you can call it 破.
    • `我的鞋子很破了。` (Wǒ de xiézi hěn pò le.) - My shoes are really worn-out.
    • `你为什么要住在这个破地方？` (Nǐ wèishéme yào zhù zài zhège pò dìfang?) - Why do you want to live in this dump/lousy place? (Note: 破 here is highly informal and expresses dissatisfaction).
  • The Act of Breaking (Verb): Used with a direct object, often in combination with other verbs like 打 (dǎ).
    • `谁把窗户打破了？` (Shéi bǎ chuānghu dǎ pò le?) - Who broke the window?
  • Figurative Breakthroughs and Exposure: 破 is essential in many compound words for abstract concepts.
    • Business/Finance: 破产 (pòchǎn) means “to go bankrupt.”
    • Problem Solving: 突破 (tūpò) means “to make a breakthrough.”
    • Social Interaction: 看破 (kànpò) means “to see through” a lie or trick. 说破 (shuōpò) means “to lay bare” or “to reveal” a secret.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 我的手机屏幕破了，我需要换一个新的。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ de shǒujī píngmù pò le, wǒ xūyào huàn yí ge xīn de.
    • English: My phone screen is cracked, I need to get a new one.
    • Analysis: Here, 破 is used as a state adjective to describe something physically broken or cracked. The particle 了 (le) indicates a change of state.
  • Example 2:
    • 这件 T 恤太破了，你应该扔掉它。
    • Pinyin: Zhè jiàn T-xù tài pò le, nǐ yīnggāi rēngdiào tā.
    • English: This T-shirt is too worn-out, you should throw it away.
    • Analysis: This shows 破 used to mean “tattered” or “worn-out,” a very common colloquial usage for clothes, furniture, and other items.
  • Example 3:
    • 那位运动员打破了世界纪录！
    • Pinyin: Nà wèi yùndòngyuán dǎpò le shìjiè jìlù!
    • English: That athlete broke the world record!
    • Analysis: 打破 (dǎpò) is a common resultative complement. 打 is the action (“to hit”), and 破 is the result (“broken”). It's used figuratively here for breaking a record.
  • Example 4:
    • 由于管理不善，那家公司去年破产了。
    • Pinyin: Yóuyú guǎnlǐ bù shàn, nà jiā gōngsī qùnián pòchǎn le.
    • English: Due to poor management, that company went bankrupt last year.
    • Analysis: 破产 (pòchǎn) is a set vocabulary word combining “break” and “property.” It's the standard term for bankruptcy.
  • Example 5:
    • 经过数月的努力，我们的团队终于有了突破。
    • Pinyin: Jīngguò shù yuè de nǔlì, wǒmen de tuánduì zhōngyú yǒu le tūpò.
    • English: After months of hard work, our team finally had a breakthrough.
    • Analysis: 突破 (tūpò) is another key vocabulary word, meaning “breakthrough.” It combines “to burst out” (突) with “to break” (破).
  • Example 6:
    • 别再撒谎了，我早就看破你的计谋了。
    • Pinyin: Bié zài sāhuǎng le, wǒ zǎo jiù kànpò nǐ de jìmóu le.
    • English: Stop lying, I saw through your scheme long ago.
    • Analysis: 看破 (kànpò) is a figurative use meaning “to see through” a deception. 看 is “to see,” and 破 indicates the result of breaking the illusion.
  • Example 7:
    • 这真是一个破主意！
    • Pinyin: Zhè zhēnshi yí ge pò zhǔyi!
    • English: This is really a lousy idea!
    • Analysis: In informal speech, 破 can be used as an adjective to mean “lousy,” “terrible,” or “worthless,” expressing strong disdain.
  • Example 8:
    • 如果你把这个秘密说破了，他会很生气的。
    • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ bǎ zhège mìmì shuōpò le, tā huì hěn shēngqì de.
    • English: If you reveal this secret, he will be very angry.
    • Analysis: 说破 (shuōpò) means to expose something by speaking about it, to “break” the silence or secrecy.
  • Example 9:
    • 为了赢得这场战争，将军决定破釜沉舟。
    • Pinyin: Wèile yíngdé zhè chǎng zhànzhēng, jiāngjūn juédìng pò fǔ chén zhōu.
    • English: In order to win this war, the general decided to burn his bridges (literally, break the cauldrons and sink the boats).
    • Analysis: This showcases the use of 破 in a classical idiom (成语 chéngyǔ) that is still widely understood in modern China.
  • Example 10:
    • 不要为这点儿破事烦恼了。
    • Pinyin: Búyào wèi zhè diǎnr pòshì fánnǎo le.
    • English: Don't worry about this trivial/annoying little thing.
    • Analysis: 破事 (pòshì) is a very common and informal slang term for annoying, trivial, or troublesome matters.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • 破 (pò) vs. 坏 (huài): This is a critical distinction for learners.
    • 破 (pò) implies a physical rupture: a hole, a tear, a crack, or being shattered. Use it for clothes, paper, glass, or skin.
      • Correct: `我的裤子破了一个洞。` (Wǒ de kùzi pò le yí ge dòng.) - My pants have a hole in them.
      • Correct: `碗打破了。` (Wǎn dǎpò le.) - The bowl shattered.
    • 坏 (huài) is a more general term for “broken” in the sense of “not functioning” or “spoiled.” Use it for machines, electronics, or food.
      • Correct: `我的电脑坏了。` (Wǒ de diànnǎo huài le.) - My computer is broken.
      • Incorrect: `我的电脑破了。` (This would imply the computer's casing is physically smashed, not that it won't turn on).
      • Correct: `牛奶坏了。` (Niúnǎi huài le.) - The milk has gone bad.
  • Don't Overuse “Lousy”: While 破 can mean “lousy” or “crappy” (e.g., `破地方`, `破手机`), this is very informal and can sound rude. Be careful with its use in polite or formal situations. Stick to the literal meanings of “broken” or “worn-out” until you are comfortable with the connotations.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 坏 (huài) - A general term for “broken” (non-functional) or “bad.” A key term to distinguish from 破.
  • 打破 (dǎpò) - A common compound meaning “to break” or “to smash,” often implying force. More specific than just 破.
  • 破坏 (pòhuài) - To destroy, to damage, to sabotage. More formal and carries a stronger, often more intentional, sense of destruction.
  • 突破 (tūpò) - A breakthrough; to break through. A positive, figurative term used in science, career, and personal development.
  • 碎 (suì) - To shatter into small pieces. Describes the result of breaking something fragile, like glass. It's a result, whereas 破 can be the action or the state.
  • 破产 (pòchǎn) - To go bankrupt. A specific legal and economic term.
  • 破旧 (pòjiù) - Worn-out and old. An adjective that specifically combines “worn-out” with “old” to describe objects.
  • 揭破 (jiēpò) - To expose or uncover (a plot, a lie). Similar to `说破` but with a stronger sense of investigation and revelation.