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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'to touch' or 'to bump' with 碰 (pèng)

    Actions & Events
    Direction & Movement

    Structure

    Subject + 碰 + Object

    Explanation

    The verb 碰 (pèng) means 'to touch,' 'to bump into,' or 'to run into,' describing physical contact between two objects or people. It can also be used figuratively to mean encountering someone or something by chance. It often appears with body parts as subjects or objects to describe accidental contact.

    Examples

    • 小心别碰那个杯子，里面是热水。

      xiǎoxīn bié pèng nàge bēizi, lǐmiàn shì rè shuǐ.

      Be careful not to touch that cup — there's hot water inside.

    • 我今天在超市碰到了一个老同学。

      wǒ jīntiān zài chāoshì pèng dào le yí gè lǎo tóngxué.

      I ran into an old classmate at the supermarket today.

    • 他不小心碰到了桌角，疼得直叫。

      tā bù xiǎoxīn pèng dào le zhuō jiǎo, téng de zhí jiào.

      He accidentally bumped into the corner of the table and cried out in pain.

    Expressing 'to touch' or 'to bump' with 碰 (pèng) | Chinese Grammar