断裂

斷裂

duànliè

verb HSK 7-9 #12,598

Meanings

1 to fracture; to break apart
2 to rupture; to sever

Characters

to break; to snap

to crack; to split

Both characters mean 'to break,' but 断 is a clean snap while 裂 is a crack or split. Together they describe a complete, decisive break.

Examples

HSK 5

地震导致了地面断裂。

Dìzhèn dǎozhì le dìmiàn duànliè.

The earthquake caused the ground to fracture.

HSK 7-9

绳子突然断裂了。

Shéngzi tūrán duànliè le.

The rope suddenly snapped.

Stroke Order

断 duàn

裂 liè