撬

Tap the pinyin to hear it

to lift; to pry open; to lever open

Sound it out + + =

Formation & memory

Break the character into parts you already know.

Phono-semantic compound (形声字)

扌 meaning “hand” + 毳 sound ( cuì )

Components 扌毳

The most common words first — learning a character in context makes it stick.

Word	Pinyin	Meaning
撬动	qiào dòng	to shift sth with a crowbar etc; (fig.) to influence by applying leverage
撬开	qiào kāi	to pry open; to lever open
撬门	qiào mén	to break in; to force a door
铁撬	tiě qiào	crowbar
撬棒	qiào bàng	crowbar
撬锁	qiào suǒ	to pick a lock; to force a lock
撬棍	qiào gùn	crowbar
撬杠	qiào gàng	crowbar
撬窃	qiào qiè	burglary; house-breaking

Characters sharing the sound component 毳 — compare how they read.

Character	Pinyin	Meaning
毳 sound part	cuì	fine hair or fur on animals
橇	qiāo	a sledge for transportation