Meaning and Usage
The character 撇 (piě) primarily means "to cast aside" or "to neglect," often used when someone deliberately ignores or abandons something. It also refers to a specific stroke in Chinese calligraphy, a diagonal stroke from the top left to the bottom right.
Common Collocations
- 撇开 (piē kāi): to cast aside or ignore distractions or problems.
- 撇嘴 (piē zuǐ): to curl or twist one's lips, often expressing dissatisfaction or disdain.
Usage Notes
When used in conversation, 撇 often conveys a sense of dismissing or neglecting something intentionally. For example, 撇开不谈 means "to put aside for now" or "not to discuss." In calligraphy, 撇 is a fundamental stroke, so it appears frequently in character descriptions.
Avoiding Confusion
Don't confuse 撇 with similar sounding words like "别" (bié) which means "don't" or "other." 撇 has a more physical or metaphorical sense of casting away or a specific stroke in writing.
Understanding 撇 helps learners both in everyday expressions and in appreciating Chinese character structure.