What does 撕 mean in Chinese?

撕 (sī) means "to tear" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 7-9.

How do you pronounce 撕?

撕 is pronounced "sī" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 1.

What HSK level is 撕?

撕 is an HSK 7-9 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 5 on the old exam, HSK 7-9 on the new one.

What words contain the character 撕?

Common words with 撕 include 撕咬 (to tear at (with the teeth, like one animal attacking another)), 撕扯 (to tear apart), 撕掉 (to tear out (and throw away)), 撕毁 (to tear up), 撕烂 (to tear up).

How do you write 撕?

You can practice writing 撕 using our stroke order tool.

撕 (sī), to tear

撕

sī

to tear

HSK 7-9 Was HSK 5verb

Character Breakdown

Radical: 手 (no. 64)

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) to tear

Example Sentences

别用力撕，会撕破的。

Bié yònglì sī, huì sīpò de

Don't tear hard, it will rip

Words Containing 撕

Word	Pinyin	Meaning
撕咬	sī yǎo	to tear at (with the teeth, like one animal attacking another)
撕扯	sī chě	to tear apart
撕掉	sī diào	to tear out (and throw away)
撕毁	sī huǐ	to tear up
撕烂	sī làn	to tear up

→

丢轮扯炮(diū lún chě pào)· lose a wheel, tear at the gun (idiom); flustered and confused in a panic

→

干眼症(gān yǎn zhèng)· dry eye

→

催泪弹(cuī lèi dàn)· tear bomb

→

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 7-9
HSK 2.0: HSK 5
HSK Lord study list: HSK 7 list

撕: HSK 5 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 撕 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.

撕