‘撕破’ is a compound verb formed by combining 撕 (sī, 'to tear') and 破 (pò, 'to break, to rupture'). Literally, it means 'to tear through' or 'to rip open' — often describing the physical act of forcibly splitting something thin or fragile, like paper, fabric, or packaging. The verb emphasizes suddenness, force, and irreversibility: once torn, the object cannot be restored to its original intact state.

Figuratively, ‘撕破’ extends to abstract domains, especially relationships or social facades — for example, ‘撕破脸’ (sī pò liǎn, 'to tear off one’s face') means to abandon pretense and confront someone openly, often angrily. It can also mean breaking a promise or agreement in a decisive, public, or hostile way — implying betrayal or an irreversible breach of trust. It carries a strong, often negative connotation and is rarely used in neutral or positive contexts.