Definition
挣开 (zhēngkāi) is a resultative verb compound meaning 'to throw off' or 'to break free from' physical restraints — like a grip, a rope, or someone's hold. The first character 挣 (zhēng) means 'to struggle' and 开 (kāi) means 'to open', together literally 'to struggle open'. You use this when someone or something physically breaks loose from being held or tied. It can also be used more figuratively to mean breaking free from an emotional or mental hold, but the core sense is physical. It is a transitive verb and always takes an object (the restraint being broken).
r.v.
to throw off (restraints)to break free from (a hold or tie)
Examples
- 挣开，。Xiǎo nánhái shǐjìn yì zhēng, zhèngtuō le māma de shǒu.The little boy gave a hard tug and broke free from his mother's hand.
- 挣开。Tā yòng jìn quánlì zhēng le shéngsuǒ.He used all his strength to throw off the rope.
- 挣开。Tā zhēng le nà zhī jǐnjǐn zhuā zhù tā de shǒu.She broke free from the hand that was tightly gripping her.
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