Definition
拉开 is a resultative verb compound (V + 开) meaning 'to pull open' or 'to draw apart'. It can be used literally (拉开窗帘 'pull open the curtain'), figuratively (拉开距离 'create distance'), or temporally (拉开时间 'space out the time'). Colloquially, 拉开话匣子 means 'to start chatting'. As a resultative compound, it can be split with 得/不 for potential complements: 拉得开 'can be pulled open', 拉不开 'cannot be pulled open'.
r.v.
to pull open (a door, curtain, etc.)to draw backto create distance (physical or figurative)to space out (over time)
Examples
- 拉开。Qǐng bǎ chuānglián lā kāi.Please pull open the curtain.
- 拉开。Tāmen lā kāi le jùlí.They created some distance.
- ？Zhège mén lā de kāi ma?Can this door be pulled open?
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