HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 刂, rank #23180, Hard
剖
pōu
to analyze
HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 刂, rank #23180, Hard
剖
pōu
Taiwan pr. [pǒu]
HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 刂, rank #23180, Hard
剖
pōu
to bisect, to dissect, to slice
HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 刂, rank #23180, Hard
剖
pōu
Taiwan pr. [pou3]
HSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 刂, rank #23180, Hard
pōu(pou1) T1
1to cut open
2to analyze
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March 24, 2026
剖pōu(pou1)
The character 剖 (pōu) means to cut open, dissect, or analyze something thoroughly. It is commonly used in contexts involving detailed examination, whether in a scientific, medical, or literary sense, indicating a deeper understanding or exploration of a subject.
Strokes10Radical刂Frequency#23180DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese medicine, the concept of 剖 is significant as it relates to the dissection of anatomy for understanding health. This reflects the historical importance of detailed study and examination in traditional Chinese medical practices.
Memory Tip
Imagine a chef (the radical 刀, meaning knife) carefully cutting open a fruit to analyze its inner structure. The sound 'pōu' can remind you of 'poaching', as in poaching an egg where you must cut through the shell to see the insides.
Meanings of 剖
pōu(pou1)
1to cut open
2to analyze
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 剖
剖Simplified
10Strokes
刂Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#23180Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 剖
Podcast: 剖
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AI Study Notes for 剖
Quick Contrast
剖 (pōu) vs 切 (qiē) — use 剖 when emphasizing a thorough analysis or dissection, while 切 focuses on the act of cutting without the analytical nuance.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a chef (the radical 刀, meaning knife) carefully cutting open a fruit to analyze its inner structure. The sound 'pōu' can remind you of 'poaching', as in poaching an egg where you must cut through the shell to see the insides.
Usage Notes
This word is often used in formal contexts, particularly in academic or analytical discussions. Be cautious with tone; the character has a fourth tone when pronounced as 'pǒu' in Taiwan, which can lead to confusion. Common collocations include 剖析 (pōuxī, to analyze) and 剖面 (pōumiàn, cross-section).
HSK Study Tips
Though not included in the HSK levels, understanding 剖 can enhance your vocabulary for discussing analysis, which is relevant for HSK 5 learners. Focus on its usage in academic writing and discussions to see how it connects with words like 分析 (fēnxī, to analyze).
Cultural Note
In Chinese medicine, the concept of 剖 is significant as it relates to the dissection of anatomy for understanding health. This reflects the historical importance of detailed study and examination in traditional Chinese medical practices.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 剖 with 切, using 剖 when they simply mean to cut something, as in '我想剖这个苹果' instead of '我想切这个苹果'. Correctly, you would use 切, since you are not analyzing the apple.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 剖
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Grammar Patterns of 剖
剖 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
这是一篇____析民族主义的让人不安的文章。
This was a troubling essay on the anatomy of nationhood.
Example Sentences for 剖 (7)
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1
这是一篇剖析民族主义的让人不安的文章。
zhè shì yī piān pōu xī mín zú zhǔ yì de ràng rén bù ān de wén zhāng。
This was a troubling essay on the anatomy of nationhood.
2
那婴儿是施行剖宫产手术出生的。
nà yīng ér shì shī háng pōu gōng chǎn shǒu shù chū shēng de。
The baby was born by Caesarean section.
3
研究人员需要更多的供解剖用的尸体。
yán jiū rén yuán xū yào gēng duō de gōng jiě pōu yòng de shī tǐ。
Researchers need a growing supply of corpses for dissection.
4
本图所示为蝗虫的纵剖面.
běn tú suǒ shì wéi huáng chóng de zòng pōu miàn.
This illustration shows a vertical section through the locust.
5
解剖生理学系
jiě pōu shēng lǐ xué xì
the department of anatomy and physiology
6
堆积的斜方辉石几乎自下而上地分布在整个剖面中.
duī jī de xié fāng huī shí jī hū zì xià ér shàng dì fēn bù zài zhěng gè pōu miàn zhōng.
Cumulate orthopyroxene occurs almost from top to bottom of the section.
The magazine is devoted to anato-mizing the inadequacies of liberalism.
Cultural Notes for 剖
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese medicine, the concept of 剖 is significant as it relates to the dissection of anatomy for understanding health. This reflects the historical importance of detailed study and examination in traditional Chinese medical practices.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, while dissection is also an academic practice, it often carries a more clinical or even morbid connotation, whereas in Chinese culture, it can be viewed as a necessary step for holistic understanding.
Word Family of 剖
Words Containing This Character16
解剖jiěpōuto analyze
剖pōuto cut open
剖析to analyze
剖腹to disembowel
解剖学anatomy解剖學
剖腹产Cesarean section剖腹產
剖面profile
剖白to explain oneself
剖宫产Cesarean section剖宮產
解剖麻雀lit. to dissect a sparrow; fig. a preliminary test on a small sample
剖解to dissect
剖视to analyze剖視
横剖面horizontal section橫剖面
纵剖面vertical section縱剖面
剖视图section view剖視圖
剖肝沥胆to be completely honest and sincere (idiom)剖肝瀝膽
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 解剖 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 剖
While both mean to cut, 剖 emphasizes cutting open for analysis, while 切 simply means to slice or cut.
It's more commonly found in formal or academic contexts, so using it in casual conversation might sound out of place.
Yes, it is often used in medical discussions about dissection or analysis of body parts.
