爆裂
bàoliè
The English verb burst is translated into Chinese as 爆裂 (bàoliè). Wiktionary also lists 破裂 (pòliè).
Meaning: to break from internal pressure (verb)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 爆裂 | bàoliè |
| 破裂 | pòliè |
The term is used to describe an object breaking or shattering due to internal pressure.
Which one should you use?
While both words can mean to burst, 爆裂 emphasizes a sudden, violent explosion or bursting caused by internal pressure, such as a pipe or a balloon. In contrast, 破裂 is more commonly used for the cracking of physical surfaces or the breaking of abstract things, such as the breakdown of diplomatic ties or a relationship (关系破裂).
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
bàoliè
Did you know?
- The character 爆 (bào) is used in modern internet slang as a prefix meaning 'explosively', such as in 爆红 to describe someone who becomes a viral hit.
- In Chinese, the word for 'bankruptcy', 破产, uses the character 破 (pò) from 破裂, imagining a person's finances as a broken or burst vessel.
- The same root used for a physical burst, 爆 (bào), is used in the word for popcorn, 爆米花 (bàomǐhuā). This literally translates to 'burst corn flower', referencing the way the kernels burst from internal pressure.
Examples in context
- 他的愤怒突然爆发了His anger suddenly burst out.
- 巨大的声音使玻璃爆裂了The loud noise caused the glass to burst.
- 这个秘密马上要爆了This secret is about to burst out soon.
- 我听到了一阵巨大的爆炸声I heard a loud burst of explosion sound.
- 气球爆裂了。The balloon burst.
- 压力太大会让血管爆裂。Yālì tài dà huì ràng xuèguǎn bàoliè.Too much pressure can cause blood vessels to burst.
- 由于压力过大，气球爆裂了。Yóuyú yālì guò dà, qìqiú bàoliè le.The balloon burst due to excessive pressure.
- 管道由于内部压力爆裂了。Guǎndào yóuyú nèibù yālì bàoliè le.The pipe burst because of internal pressure.
Example conversation
浩然 is checking the broken water pipes in the kitchen.
- 梓涵 Zihan水管怎么了？Shuǐguǎn zěnme le?What happened to the water pipe?
- 浩然 Haoran水管因为压力太大爆裂了。Shuǐguǎn yīnwèi yālì tài dà bàoliè le.The pipe burst because the pressure was too high.
- 梓涵 Zihan那现在怎么办？Nà xiànzài zěnme bàn?What should we do now?
- 浩然 Haoran我先去把总阀关掉。Wǒ xiān qù bǎ zǒngfá guāndiào.I will go shut off the main valve first.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “burst” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
