Definition
掰开 is a resultative verb compound formed from 掰 (break off with thumb and fingers) and 开 (open/apart, used as a result complement). It means to use your fingers or hands to snap something into two pieces or to pry something apart — like breaking a piece of bread in half or forcing a stick open. The potential complement forms 掰得开 (can break apart) and 掰不开 (cannot break apart) are common.
r.v.
to break off or force apart with the fingers or hands
Examples
- 掰开。Tā bǎ nà kuài qiǎokèlì bāi kāi le.He broke that piece of chocolate in half.
- 掰开。Yòng shǒu bāi kāi nà gēn mùgùn.Use your hands to break that stick apart.
- 掰开。Tā xiǎo shíhou xǐhuan bǎ bǐnggān bāi kāi le zài chī.When he was little, he liked to break cookies into pieces before eating.
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