Common Meanings
1
zhē折
To turn over, to flip, or to tumble, often implying energetic or somewhat chaotic movement, as in somersaulting or tossing and turning.
小孩子喜欢在草地上折跟头。
Children love to tumble on the grass.
2
zhé折
To break or snap something, like a branch or a stick.
这根树枝被风折断了。
This branch was broken by the wind.
to die young; premature death, especially of a young person, or of a plan or project in its early stages.
这个富有潜力的计划，却在初期阶段就夭折了。
This promising plan, however, died prematurely in its initial stage.
To bend, turn, or twist (as in a path or a plot); to compromise (in specific phrases).
这条小路蜿蜒曲折，通向山顶。
This small path winds and twists, leading to the mountain top.
to turn back; to return
我们走到半路发现忘带钥匙，只好折返
We walked halfway and realized we forgot the keys, so we had to turn back.
To suffer a loss; to lose (especially capital or personnel).
他因经营不善，折了许多本钱。
He lost a lot of capital due to poor management.
To suffer a setback or frustration; hardship; to torment or vex.
人生的道路上难免会遇到各种挫折。
It's inevitable to encounter various setbacks on the journey of life.
To reduce; to shorten (e.g., life); a discount.
这家店的商品经常打折。
The products in this store are often discounted.
To convert, discount, or offset; to exchange one thing for another, often used when converting a physical item into money or an equivalent value.
一百美元折合人民币大约七百元。
One hundred US dollars converts to approximately seven hundred RMB.
To be deeply convinced or won over by someone's ability, wisdom, or arguments; to admire and yield to.
他的精湛技艺让在场的观众都为之折服
His exquisite skill won over all the audience present.
In traditional Chinese opera, especially zaju, a 'zhe' refers to a section or act. A zaju typically consists of four 'zhe', with each 'zhe' being equivalent to a modern scene or act. This term is notably used in 'zhezixi' (excerpt play), which is a performance of a single 'zhe' or a short selection from a larger opera.
我们今天晚上看了一出精彩的折子戏。
We watched a wonderful excerpt play tonight.
To judge or adjudicate a legal case; to make a decision on a dispute, often in a judicial context, similar to the meaning in '折狱' (to judge a case).
老法官一生清廉，公正无私，所折之案皆服众望。
The old judge lived a life of integrity, fair and selfless; all cases he adjudicated won public trust.
3
shé折
To snap or break, often referring to a rope or similar object.
绳子折了。
The rope snapped.
To incur a loss or deficit, especially in business or an investment.
这次投资折本了。
This investment resulted in a loss.