====== pītuǐ: 劈腿 - To Cheat (in a relationship), To Two-Time ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** 劈腿, pītuǐ, cheating in Chinese, two-timing, infidelity Chinese, Chinese slang for cheating, what does pītuǐ mean, 劈腿 meaning, relationship slang China, 脚踏两条船, 出轨.
  * **Summary:** Discover the meaning of **劈腿 (pītuǐ)**, a popular and vivid Chinese slang term for cheating or two-timing in a romantic relationship. Literally meaning "to do the splits," this term paints a powerful visual of someone trying to be in two relationships at once. This guide breaks down its cultural context, practical usage in modern conversation, and compares it to related terms like 出轨 (chūguǐ) to provide a deep understanding for any learner of Chinese.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** pītuǐ
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb
  * **HSK Level:** N/A (Colloquial slang)
  * **Concise Definition:** To be unfaithful in a romantic relationship by dating two or more people at the same time.
  * **In a Nutshell:** Imagine a gymnast doing the splits, with one leg stretched out in one direction and the other leg in a completely different one. **劈腿 (pītuǐ)** takes this physical image and applies it to relationships. It vividly describes a person who is "splitting" their time and affection between two romantic partners, effectively "standing" in two relationships at once. It's the most common, informal, and direct way to talk about cheating or two-timing in modern Mandarin.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **劈 (pī):** To split, to chop, or to cleave. This character implies a forceful, decisive action, like an axe splitting a log of wood.
  * **腿 (tuǐ):** Leg.
  * The two characters literally combine to mean "split the legs," the action of doing a gymnastic or martial arts split. Metaphorically, this striking physical image was extended to the realm of romance, where a person's romantic life is "split" between two people.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * **A Modern and Visual Slang:** Unlike more traditional or formal terms for infidelity like [[出轨]] (chūguǐ), **劈腿 (pītuǐ)** is a product of modern, informal language, likely gaining popularity through Taiwanese pop culture and media. Its power lies in its blunt, visual, and slightly humorous metaphor, which makes it memorable and widely used, especially among younger generations.
  * **Comparison to "Two-Timing":** The closest English equivalent is "two-timing." Both are informal and describe the act of dating two people concurrently. However, "two-timing" doesn't carry the same strong, physical imagery as **劈腿**. The mental picture of "doing the splits" is uniquely Chinese and much more graphic. While English might use "cheating" or "having an affair," these terms lack the specific, slangy flavor of **pītuǐ**.
  * **Social Norms:** In Chinese culture, loyalty and faithfulness in relationships are highly valued. The act of **劈腿** is strongly condemned. The popularity of such a direct and somewhat playful term reflects how this topic is often handled in modern society: through gossip among friends, dramatic plotlines in TV shows, and sensational celebrity news, rather than in somber, formal discussions.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * **Formality:** **劈腿** is highly informal and colloquial. It is perfectly appropriate to use with friends, peers, or when discussing pop culture. You would not use it in a formal report, a serious academic discussion, or when speaking to an elder about a sensitive matter. In those cases, the term [[出轨]] (chūguǐ) would be more suitable.
  * **Connotation:** The term is strongly negative. It is used to accuse, condemn, or describe the act of infidelity. There is no positive or neutral context for using **劈腿** in its figurative sense.
  * **Common Scenarios:** You will hear **劈腿** constantly in conversations about relationships, breakups, celebrity scandals, and in the lyrics of pop songs and the plots of TV dramas. It's a cornerstone of modern relationship vocabulary.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 我不敢相信，他竟然**劈腿**了！
    * Pinyin: Wǒ bù gǎn xiāngxìn, tā jìngrán **pītuǐ** le!
    * English: I can't believe he actually cheated!
    * Analysis: A common expression of shock upon discovering infidelity. `竟然 (jìngrán)` emphasizes the surprising and unexpected nature of the action.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 你是不是在**劈腿**？坦白告诉我！
    * Pinyin: Nǐ shì bu shì zài **pītuǐ**? Tǎnbái gàosu wǒ!
    * English: Are you cheating on me? Tell me honestly!
    * Analysis: A direct confrontation. The `是 不是 (shì bu shì)` structure forms a yes/no question, making the accusation pointed and demanding a clear answer.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 她因为男朋友**劈腿**，所以跟他分手了。
    * Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi nánpéngyou **pītuǐ**, suǒyǐ gēn tā fēnshǒu le.
    * English: She broke up with her boyfriend because he cheated on her.
    * Analysis: This sentence shows the common cause-and-effect relationship between **劈腿** and [[分手]] (fēnshǒu - to break up).
  * **Example 4:**
    * 我最好的朋友被**劈腿**了，我真为她难过。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ zuì hǎo de péngyou bèi **pītuǐ** le, wǒ zhēn wèi tā nánguò.
    * English: My best friend was cheated on, I feel so bad for her.
    * Analysis: Here, the passive voice `被 (bèi)` is used to show that the friend is the victim of the cheating.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 很多电视剧里都有**劈腿**的剧情。
    * Pinyin: Hěn duō diànshìjù lǐ dōu yǒu **pītuǐ** de jùqíng.
    * English: A lot of TV dramas have storylines about cheating.
    * Analysis: This demonstrates how the term is used to describe a common trope in media. `剧情 (jùqíng)` means "plot" or "storyline."
  * **Example 6:**
    * 与其担心他会不会**劈腿**，不如先好好爱自己。
    * Pinyin: Yǔqí dānxīn tā huì bu huì **pītuǐ**, bùrú xiān hǎohǎo ài zìjǐ.
    * English: Instead of worrying about whether he will cheat, it's better to first love yourself well.
    * Analysis: This sentence offers advice, using the `与其 A, 不如 B (yǔqí A, bùrú B)` structure, meaning "rather than A, it's better to B."
  * **Example 7:**
    * 他是个惯犯，**劈腿**已经不是第一次了。
    * Pinyin: Tā shì ge guànfàn, **pītuǐ** yǐjīng bù shì dì yī cì le.
    * English: He's a habitual offender; this isn't the first time he's cheated.
    * Analysis: `惯犯 (guànfàn)` is a strong word meaning "repeat offender," which dramatically intensifies the accusation.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 那个歌手的新歌是关于被**劈腿**后的心情。
    * Pinyin: Nàge gēshǒu de xīn gē shì guānyú bèi **pītuǐ** hòu de xīnqíng.
    * English: That singer's new song is about the feeling after being cheated on.
    * Analysis: Shows how the concept is a frequent theme in creative works like music.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 有些人认为，远距离恋爱很容易导致**劈腿**。
    * Pinyin: Yǒuxiē rén rènwéi, yuǎnjùlí liàn'ài hěn róngyì dǎozhì **pītuǐ**.
    * English: Some people think that long-distance relationships can easily lead to cheating.
    * Analysis: A sentence expressing a general opinion or belief about relationships. `导致 (dǎozhì)` means "to lead to" or "to result in."
  * **Example 10:**
    * 别**劈腿**！这对每个人都是一种伤害。
    * Pinyin: Bié **pītuǐ**! Zhè duì měi ge rén dōu shì yī zhǒng shānghài.
    * English: Don't cheat! It's a kind of harm to everyone involved.
    * Analysis: A direct command or plea using `别 (bié)` for "don't."
  * **Example 11 (Literal Meaning):**
    * 她是舞蹈演员，当然会**劈腿**。
    * Pinyin: Tā shì wǔdǎo yǎnyuán, dāngrán huì **pītuǐ**.
    * English: She's a dancer, of course she can do the splits.
    * Analysis: This is crucial for avoiding misunderstanding. The context of `舞蹈演员 (wǔdǎo yǎnyuán - dancer)` makes it clear that the literal, physical meaning is intended.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **Literal vs. Figurative:** The biggest pitfall for a learner is confusing the literal meaning ("to do the splits") with the figurative one ("to cheat"). Context is everything. If the conversation is about gymnastics, dance, or martial arts, it's likely literal. If it's about relationships, it's definitely figurative.
  * **"Cheating" on a Test is NOT 劈腿:** This is a critical mistake. **劈腿** is used **exclusively** for romantic infidelity. To describe cheating on an exam, in a game, or in business, you must use the word **[[作弊]] (zuòbì)**.
    * **Incorrect:** `他在考试的时候**劈腿**了。` (Tā zài kǎoshì de shíhou **pītuǐ** le.)
    * **Correct:** `他在考试的时候**作弊**了。` (Tā zài kǎoshì de shíhou **zuòbì** le.)
  * **劈腿 vs. One-Night Stand:** While **劈腿** can be used broadly for any act of infidelity, its core meaning strongly implies an ongoing, concurrent relationship with two people (i.e., "two-timing"). For a one-time act of infidelity, a term like `一夜情 (yīyèqíng - one-night stand)` might be more specific, although **劈腿** could still be used as a general accusation.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * **[[出轨]] (chūguǐ):** Literally "to leave the tracks (of a train)." This is the more formal and standard term for having an affair or being unfaithful. It's the "proper" way to say it.
  * **[[脚踏两条船]] (jiǎo tà liǎng tiáo chuán):** A chengyu (idiom) meaning "to have a foot in two boats." It has the exact same meaning as **劈腿** but is a more traditional, idiomatic expression.
  * **[[小三]] (xiǎosān):** "Little three." The slang term for the third person in a love triangle; the mistress or the "other man/woman." If someone is **劈腿**, they are doing it with a **小三**.
  * **[[渣男]] (zhānán) / [[渣女]] (zhānǚ):** "Scum man" / "Scum woman." A popular internet slang term for a man or woman who is a terrible romantic partner, often by being a player, lying, or, very commonly, **劈腿**.
  * **[[绿帽子]] (lǜ màozi):** "Green hat." A culturally specific and important concept. A man whose wife or girlfriend is cheating on him is said to be "wearing a green hat" (`戴绿帽子 dài lǜ màozi`).
  * **[[外遇]] (wàiyù):** "External encounter." A term for an extramarital affair, similar in formality to **出轨**.
  * **[[分手]] (fēnshǒu):** To break up. The most common result of a **劈腿** situation.
  * **[[作弊]] (zuòbì):** To cheat (on a test, in a game). The term for non-romantic cheating. It is essential to distinguish this from **劈腿**.