Meaning Index
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "chop", including 斩 (zhǎn), 劈 (pī / pǐ). Study pinyin, English meanings, traditional forms, common words…
The English word "chop" covers 2 different Chinese characters — 斩 (zhǎn), 劈 (pī / pǐ) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 2 characters do not share a sound — their readings span zhǎn, pī, pǐ — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 斩 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.
Anchor each of these 2 characters in a word you can picture — start with 斩 (zhǎn) — so "chop" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
Each character below is shown in a short example sentence with pinyin and an English translation — the quickest way to feel the difference between the 2 ways to say "chop".
“快刀斩乱麻”比喻办事果断利落。“Kuài dāo zhǎn luàn má” bǐ yù bàn shì guǒ duàn lì luo.The phrase cutting tangled hemp with a sharp knife means handling matters decisively.
Common words: 斩钉截铁 (zhǎn dīng jié tiě)、斩草除根 (zhǎn cǎo chú gēn)、斩眼 (zhǎn yǎn)
他抡起斧头，把木柴劈成了两半。Tā lūn qǐ fǔ tóu, bǎ mù chái pī chéng le liǎng bàn.He swung the axe and split the firewood in two.
Common words: 劈面 (pī miàn)、劈理 (pī lǐ)、劈开 (pī kāi)
Open 斩、劈 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.