Usage of 折 (shé)
The character 折 primarily means "to snap" or "to break" something, especially something long and thin like a branch or a chair leg. It is often used in physical contexts where an object is broken by bending or force.
Another common use of 折 is in the context of discounts or sales, where it means "to discount" or "to reduce the price." For example, 打折 means "to give a discount."
Common Collocations
- 折断 (zhé duàn): to break off completely
- 打折 (dǎ zhé): to give a discount
- 折腾 (zhē teng): to toss about, to suffer
Notes
When used to describe breaking, 折 often implies a clean break or snap, different from cracking or bending without breaking. In sales contexts, 折 is usually combined with 打 to form 打折, a very common phrase in shopping.
Avoid confusing 折 with 断 (duàn), which also means "to break" but is more general and can apply to non-physical breaks such as breaking a contract or cutting off communication.