偏离 piānlí to deviate
to deviate; to diverge; to wander
How to remember 偏离: 偏 slanting + 离 leave = to deviate.
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How it is used
- To deviate/stray from a course, path, or topic - 偏离轨道 (piānlí guǐdào) to deviate from orbit/track; 偏离主题 (stray off topic).
- The 离 (leave) stresses departing from a set line or standard. Neutral-to-critical.
- Common with 方向 (direction), 目标 (goal), 正轨 (the right track). More directional than 偏差 (a static discrepancy).