What does 掰 mean in Chinese?

掰 (bāi) means "to break off or break open sth with one's hands; (fig.) to break off (a relationship)" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 7-9.

How do you pronounce 掰?

掰 is pronounced "bāi" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 1.

What HSK level is 掰?

掰 is an HSK 7-9 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 6 on the old exam, HSK 7-9 on the new one.

What words contain the character 掰?

Common words with 掰 include 掰弯 (to bend), 掰扯 (to debate), 掰掰 (bye-bye (loanword) (Tw)), 掰直 (to straighten), 掰开 (to pull apart).

How do you write 掰?

You can practice writing 掰 using our stroke order tool.

掰 (bāi), to break off or break open sth with one's hands

掰

bāi

to break off or break open sth with one's hands; (fig.) to break off (a relationship)

HSK 7-9 Was HSK 6verb

Character Breakdown

Radical: 手 (no. 64)

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) to break off or break open sth with one's hands
(fig.) to break off (a relationship)

Example Sentences

把面包掰成两半。

Bǎ miànbāo bāi chéng liǎng bàn

Break the bread in half

Words Containing 掰

Word	Pinyin	Meaning
掰弯	bāi wān	to bend
掰扯	bāi che	to debate
掰掰	bāi bāi	bye-bye (loanword) (Tw)
掰直	bāi zhí	to straighten
掰开	bāi kāi	to pull apart

→

吹台(chuī tái)· (coll.) to fall through

→

失恋(shī liàn)· to lose one's love

→

崩裂(bēng liè)· to rupture

→

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 7-9
HSK 2.0: HSK 6
HSK Lord study list: HSK 8 list

掰: HSK 6 on the old exam, HSK 7-9 on the new one. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 7-9 exam

Studying for HSK 7-9? Keep 掰 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free Where your level lands on the new exam

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.

掰