挑拨

挑撥

tiǎobō

verb #26,354

Meanings

1 to instigate
2 to incite disharmony
3 to sow discord
4 to stir up trouble between people

Characters

to incite, to provoke, to pick at

to stir, to poke, to flick

Examples

HSK 3

别听他的，他只是在挑拨你们的关系。

Bié tīng tā de, tā zhǐshì zài tiǎobō nǐmen de guānxi.

Don't listen to him; he's just trying to drive a wedge between you.

HSK 7-9

他总是喜欢在朋友之间挑拨是非。

Tā zǒngshì xǐhuān zài péngyou zhījiān tiǎobō shìfēi.

He always likes to sow discord among friends.

Tips

usage

挑拨 often appears in the fixed phrase 挑拨是非 (tiǎobō shìfēi, to stir up trouble) or 挑拨离间 (tiǎobō líjiàn, to sow dissension). It always implies malicious intent.

Stroke Order

挑 tiāo

拨 bō