绽 zhàn to crack
to crack; to burst open; to split at the seams
How to remember 绽: 纟 silk + 定 to decide = to crack. Dad's old silk trousers are worn thin, but he cannot decide to buy new ones, until at the wedding the seam starts to crack.
Component breakdown
形声 · Meaning + sound
One part gives the meaning, the other gives the sound.
绽 = 纟 silk + 定 to decide
- 纟 silk meaning
- 定 to decide sound
- 宀 roof
- 𤴓 upright
Dad's old silk trousers are worn thin, but he cannot decide to buy new ones, until at the wedding the seam starts to crack.
How it came to be
Silk gives the meaning and the right part the sound.
How it is used
- To burst open / split at the seams: 绽放 (zhànfàng): to bloom/burst into flower: 鲜花绽放 (xiānhuā zhànfàng) flowers blossoming, and figuratively 笑容绽放 a smile breaking out.
- 绽裂 (zhànliè) means to split open; 破绽 (pòzhàn) means a flaw/loophole (a split seam), 露出破绽 (lùchū pòzhàn) to give oneself away.