Keywords: 撇, piě, Chinese stroke, left-falling stroke, Chinese calligraphy, to abandon, to cast aside, to skim, to throw away, ignore, 撇开, 撇嘴, 撇油, learning Chinese verbs, Chinese characters
Summary: A fundamental Chinese term, 撇 (piě) holds a dual identity crucial for learners. It is one of the most basic and important strokes in Chinese calligraphy—the elegant left-falling stroke. At the same time, it is a versatile verb meaning to cast aside, skim, or abandon. This DokuWiki entry explores how the physical motion of writing the 撇 stroke informs its verbal meaning, from skimming oil off soup (撇油) to brushing off a problem (撇开) or pouting in disapproval (撇嘴). Understanding 撇 is key to both writing Chinese characters and grasping a nuanced, common verb in daily conversation.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): piě
Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
HSK Level: HSK 5 (as a verb)
Concise Definition: As a verb, to throw, cast aside, or abandon; as a noun, the left-falling stroke in Chinese characters.
In a Nutshell: Imagine the motion of flicking something away with your hand—a quick, sweeping, downward-and-left gesture. This is the essence of 撇 (piě). As a noun, it *is* that motion captured on paper: the left-falling brushstroke. As a verb, it uses that same “flicking away” idea metaphorically. You can 撇 oil from soup, 撇 aside a difficult topic, or even 撇 a person behind. It's a word of swift, often dismissive, removal.
Character Breakdown
撇 (piě): The character is composed of the “hand” radical 扌(shǒu) on the left and 敝 (bì) on the right.
扌 (shǒu): The “hand” radical. This immediately tells you the character is related to an action performed with the hands.
敝 (bì): An old character meaning “worn-out,” “tattered,” or “discarded.” It can also be used humbly to refer to oneself.
The combination of the “hand” radical (扌) with a component suggesting something “discarded” or “cast off” (敝) vividly creates the meaning of “to cast aside with one's hand.” This physical action is a perfect visual and conceptual match for the calligraphic stroke, which is a swift “casting” of the brush downwards and to the left.
Cultural Context and Significance
The Stroke of Balance: In Chinese calligraphy, 撇 (piě) is one of the eight foundational strokes (永字八法, Yǒngzì Bā Fǎ). It's essential for forming countless characters like 人 (rén - person), 八 (bā - eight), and 大 (dà - big). The aesthetic balance of a character often depends on the interplay between the left-falling 撇 (piě) and its right-falling counterpart, 捺 (nà). This reflects a broader cultural appreciation for balance and harmony in all things.
Comparison to “Brushing Off”: In Western culture, we might “brush off” a comment, “shelve” an issue, or “ditch” a friend. 撇 (piě) carries a similar feeling. While a direct translation might be “abandon,” 撇 (piě) often feels less permanent and more dismissive. For instance, 撇开 (piēkāi) an issue means setting it aside for now, not necessarily giving up on it forever. Similarly, 撇下我 (piēxià wǒ) feels more like being “ditched” for the evening than being “abandoned” for life. It captures a specific flavor of being left behind that is both immediate and frustrating.
Practical Usage in Modern China
As a Noun (Calligraphy): This is the first way Chinese children learn the word. Teachers will instruct them on the correct way to write a 撇, especially in contrast to a 捺 (nà). It's part of the basic vocabulary of writing.
As a Verb (Literal Actions):
撇油 (piē yóu): To literally skim oil or fat from the surface of a soup or broth. A very common kitchen activity.
撇嘴 (piě zuǐ): To curl one's lip or pout. This is a non-verbal gesture of disdain, disagreement, or being upset. The verb describes the physical action of the mouth.
As a Verb (Figurative Actions):
撇开 (piēkāi): This is an extremely common phrase meaning “to set aside,” “to leave aside,” or “to disregard (for now).” It's used to manage conversations by focusing on one thing and ignoring another.
撇下 (piēxià): To leave behind, ditch, or forsake someone. It carries a negative connotation of irresponsibility or heartlessness.
撇清关系 (piēqīng guānxi): To distance oneself from a matter; to make it clear one is not involved. This is about protecting one's reputation.
English: The character “人” is very simple; it's just one left-falling stroke and one right-falling stroke.
Analysis: Here, 撇 is used as a noun, referring to the basic calligraphic stroke. This is a fundamental concept for anyone learning to write Chinese.
Example 2:
听到这个不合理的要求，他不高兴地撇了撇嘴。
Pinyin: Tīngdào zhège bù hélǐ de yāoqiú, tā bù gāoxìng de piělepiě zuǐ.
English: Upon hearing this unreasonable request, he unhappily curled his lip in a pout.
Analysis: 撇嘴 (piězuǐ) is a set phrase describing a physical action of contempt or displeasure. The verb is often repeated (V-le-V) to indicate a brief, completed action.
English: Before drinking the soup, Mom first skimmed the oil off the surface.
Analysis: This demonstrates the most literal verb meaning of 撇—to skim something off the top of a liquid. The result complement “掉 (diào)” indicates successful removal.
English: Let's set aside the issue of price for a moment and first look at the product's quality.
Analysis: 撇开 (piēkāi) is a very useful verb compound for managing discussions. It means to deliberately ignore or postpone a topic to focus on something else.
English: How could you ditch your sick girlfriend and go to the movies by yourself?
Analysis: 撇下 (piēxià) means “to leave behind” or “ditch.” It carries a strong emotional weight and implies irresponsibility and a lack of care for the person left behind.
English: He was in a hurry to leave and only threw a quick glance at me.
Analysis: In this context, 撇 means to glance or look at something quickly and dismissively, similar to the flicking motion of the stroke.
Example 7:
事故发生后，他急于撇清自己和这件事的关系。
Pinyin: Shìgù fāshēng hòu, tā jíyú piēqīng zìjǐ hé zhè jiàn shì de guānxi.
English: After the accident happened, he was anxious to disassociate himself from the matter.
Analysis: 撇清 (piēqīng) means “to make clear” or “to separate oneself from” blame or responsibility. It's about severing a connection to something negative.
Example 8:
“千”这个字的第一笔就是撇。
Pinyin: “Qiān” zhège zì de dì-yī bǐ jiùshì piě.
English: The first stroke of the character “千” is a left-falling stroke.
Analysis: Another example of 撇 as a noun, specifically naming a stroke within a character's stroke order (笔顺 bǐshùn).
English: With a casual flick of his wrist, he tossed the small stone into the river.
Analysis: This usage emphasizes the physical motion of 撇—a casual, arcing throw or flick. It's less forceful than 扔 (rēng) and implies ease.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
撇 (piě) vs. 扔 (rēng) vs. 放弃 (fàngqì): English speakers often confuse these.
撇 (piě): Best for “skimming” (liquids), “casting aside” (a problem), or “ditching” (a person). It implies a brushing-off motion and can be temporary. You 撇开 a problem, you don't 扔开 it.
扔 (rēng): This is “to throw” or “to throw away” like garbage. It's for physical objects and is generally more forceful and final. You 扔 a ball, you don't 撇 a ball (unless it's a very light, casual flick).
放弃 (fàngqì): This means “to give up” or “abandon” in a more abstract, decisive sense. You 放弃 a dream, a plan, or a right. It's a conscious decision, whereas 撇下 can be a more impulsive act of leaving someone behind.
“False Friend” with “Skim”: While 撇 means to “skim” oil from soup, it does not mean to “skim” a book or an article. For reading quickly, the correct verb is 浏览 (liúlǎn). Misusing 撇 here would be incorrect and confusing.
捺 (nà): The right-falling stroke. The aesthetic and structural counterpart to 撇.
撇开 (piēkāi): A common compound verb meaning to set aside or disregard a topic.
撇嘴 (piězuǐ): A set phrase for the action of pouting or curling one's lip in displeasure.
撇清 (piēqīng): To disassociate oneself from something; to clear one's name.
笔画 (bǐhuà): The general term for all Chinese character strokes.
扔 (rēng): A synonym for “to throw,” but typically more forceful and used for getting rid of physical objects.
抛弃 (pāoqì): A very strong word for “to abandon” or “to forsake,” often used for people, principles, or responsibilities. It is much more severe than 撇下.
放弃 (fàngqì): A more formal and abstract term for “to give up” on a goal, idea, or right.