to play Chinese finger-guessing game

JLPT N5

Words with this Kanji

Usage of

The character has several distinct meanings and uses in Mandarin. Primarily, it refers to playing a traditional Chinese finger-guessing game, which is a common childhood pastime. This usage is somewhat specialized and cultural.

Besides this, also describes something that splits or opens up, such as clothing tearing or a gap forming. This literal sense is often used in everyday speech to describe physical damage or openings.

Additionally, appears in idiomatic expressions like 开朗, meaning a sudden moment of clarity or enlightenment. This figurative use is common in both spoken and written Chinese to express a mental breakthrough.

Common Collocations

  • 游戏: to play the finger-guessing game, used in informal or nostalgic contexts.
  • : to split open, often describing clothes or containers.
  • 开朗: suddenly enlightened or clear, used to describe a mental or emotional realization.

Notes

When using to describe tearing or opening, it usually appears with verbs like (open) or in past tense contexts. The figurative use 开朗 is a fixed phrase and should be memorized as a whole. Avoid confusing with similar-sounding words that mean 'to break' or 'to burst' but have different characters and nuances.

Example Sentences

We often played the Chinese finger-guessing game when we were kids.

These pants have worn out and split open at the knees.

He suddenly understood clearly and finally grasped the key to the problem.