Meanings of 切
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About 切
Podcast: 切
Podcast: 切
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AI Study Notes for 切
切 (qiē) vs 割 (gē) — use 切 for slicing food items, while 割 is more for cutting off or severing.
Imagine a chef with a sharp knife ('切') slicing through ingredients with precision. The radical 刀 (knife) hints at its meaning of cutting, while the pronunciation 'qiē' sounds like 'cheer'—think of a chef cheerfully slicing up a feast!
Learners often confuse 切 with 别 (bié), which also relates to separation but in a different context. It's important to use 切 in cooking or decisive contexts to avoid informal misinterpretations. Common collocations include 切菜 (to cut vegetables) and 切割 (to cut or slice).
At HSK Level 5, 切 connects with other action verbs like 做 (to do) and 吃 (to eat), enriching vocabulary around daily activities. Focus on its nuances in idiomatic expressions and practice using it in varied contexts to gain fluency.
In Chinese cooking, the technique of 切 (slicing) is not just about preparation but reflects a philosophy of balance and harmony in flavors and presentations, often emphasized in culinary schools.
Learners often confuse 切 with 剪 (jiǎn), which means 'to cut' in a more general or shearing context. For example, saying '我切头发' (I cut hair) should be corrected to '我剪头发.'
Pronunciation of 切
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Etymology of 切
Phonosemantic compound. 刀 represents the meaning and 七 represents the sound.
knife
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 切?
Decomposition of 切
Identify the Components
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Write 切
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Practice writing 切 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 切
切 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 12 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
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这是我切的水果。
This is the fruit that I cut.
Complete the Sentence
你不需要担心，一____都会好的。
You don't need to worry — everything will be fine.
Usage Notes for 切
切 is primarily a verb and should not be used as a noun.
错误: 我有一个切。
Incorrect: I have a cut.
正确: 我正在切东西。
Correct: I am cutting something.
Fill in the Blank
错误: 我有一个____。
Incorrect: I have a cut.
Example Sentences for 切 (10)
Cultural Notes for 切
In Chinese cuisine, the technique of slicing vegetables and meats is an art form. Different cuts can affect the texture and flavor of the dish significantly. The character 切 embodies this skill and importance in cooking.
In Chinese cooking, the technique of 切 (slicing) is not just about preparation but reflects a philosophy of balance and harmony in flavors and presentations, often emphasized in culinary schools.
Word Family of 切
Compound Meaning
What does 彻 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 切
切 (qiē) typically means to cut or slice, often used for foods, while 剁 (duò) means to chop or hack, usually used for meats or when a more forceful action is required. Understanding these nuances can help in choosing the right word when describing cooking actions.