duànjué: 断绝 - To Sever, Cut Off, Break Off

• Keywords: duanjue, duànjué, 断绝, sever ties in Chinese, cut off relations Chinese, Chinese word for break off, end relationship Chinese, duanjue meaning, what does duanjue mean, Chinese grammar, HSK 6 vocabulary
• Summary: Discover the meaning of the powerful Chinese verb 断绝 (duànjué), used to describe the complete and final act of severing ties or cutting off relations. This guide is perfect for beginner to intermediate learners, explaining its cultural weight, practical usage in contexts like family and diplomacy, and how it differs from a simple breakup. Learn through clear examples and avoid common mistakes.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): duànjué
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: To sever, cut off, or break all ties with someone or something.
• In a Nutshell: 断绝 (duànjué) is a heavy, formal, and serious word. It's not for a casual disagreement or a standard romantic breakup. Think of it as building a permanent, uncrossable wall between two entities. It implies a deliberate, final decision to end a relationship, communication, or connection, often due to a deep conflict, betrayal, or irreconcilable difference.

• 断 (duàn): To break, snap, or cut. The character is a combination of 丝 (sī - silk/thread) and 斤 (jīn - an axe). Pictorially, it represents an axe cutting through threads, a very clear image of breaking something.
• 绝 (jué): To terminate, cut short, or exhaust. This character also contains the silk radical 丝 (sī), combined with a symbol representing a knife or a knot being cut. It carries a sense of finality and exhaustion—there's nothing left.
• When combined, 断绝 (duànjué) literally means “to break and terminate.” The repetition in meaning from both characters creates an emphatic and powerful term that leaves no room for ambiguity: the connection is completely and irrevocably over.

In a culture that deeply values relationships (关系 - guānxì) and social harmony, the act of 断绝 (duànjué) is a profound and often tragic statement. It goes against the foundational principles of collectivism and interpersonal obligation. To 断绝关系 (duànjué guānxì), especially with family, is one of the most serious actions a person can take. It is seen as a rejection of filial piety (孝 - xiào) and a deep social failing. It is the stuff of high drama in television shows and literature, signifying a point of no return. A useful Western comparison is the difference between “ghosting” someone and formally “disowning” them.

• Ghosting/Unfriending: A passive, often informal act of simply ceasing communication. This is more akin to a less severe action in Chinese, like 不理 (bù lǐ - to ignore) or 拉黑 (lā hēi - to block someone online).
• Disowning/Severing All Ties: A formal, declared, and serious act with legal or social finality. This is the territory of 断绝 (duànjué). It's an active, and often public, declaration that a relationship is over forever.

Due to its severity, 断绝 (duànjué) is used in specific, high-stakes contexts.

• Formal and Diplomatic Language: This is a very common usage. You will frequently see it in news reports about international politics.
  • e.g., 断绝外交关系 (duànjué wàijiāo guānxì) - to sever diplomatic relations.
• Family and Legal Disputes: This is the most dramatic personal usage. It's used when a family formally disowns a member, or in legal documents to terminate a legal relationship (like parent-child).
  • e.g., 断绝父子关系 (duànjué fùzǐ guānxì) - to sever the father-son relationship.
• Ending All Contact: In personal contexts outside the family, it signifies an extremely serious end to a friendship or other deep connection, implying a major betrayal. It means cutting off all forms of communication and interaction.
  • e.g., 我要和他断绝一切来往 (wǒ yào hé tā duànjué yíqiè láiwǎng) - I am going to cut off all contact with him.

The connotation is almost always negative, severe, and filled with a sense of finality and often anger or deep hurt.

• Example 1:
  • 这两个国家因为战争而断绝了外交关系。
  • Pinyin: Zhè liǎng ge guójiā yīnwèi zhànzhēng ér duànjué le wàijiāo guānxì.
  • English: These two countries severed diplomatic relations because of the war.
  • Analysis: A standard, formal use of 断绝 in a political or news context. “Diplomatic relations” (外交关系) is a common object for this verb.
• Example 2:
  • 由于他无法戒掉赌博，他的父亲决定和他断绝父子关系。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú tā wúfǎ jièdiào dǔbó, tā de fùqīn juédìng hé tā duànjué fùzǐ guānxì.
  • English: Because he couldn't quit gambling, his father decided to sever the father-son relationship with him.
  • Analysis: This illustrates the immense gravity of the term in a family context. This isn't just an argument; it's a formal disownment.
• Example 3:
  • 从那天起，我断绝了和他的所有联系。
  • Pinyin: Cóng nà tiān qǐ, wǒ duànjué le hé tā de suǒyǒu liánxì.
  • English: From that day on, I cut off all contact with him.
  • Analysis: This shows a personal but very firm decision. The use of “all contact” (所有联系) reinforces the totality implied by 断绝.
• Example 4:
  • 公司已经断绝了与那家不诚实的供应商的合作。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī yǐjīng duànjué le yǔ nà jiā bù chéngshí de gōngyìngshāng de hézuò.
  • English: The company has already severed its cooperation with that dishonest supplier.
  • Analysis: Here, 断绝 is used in a formal business context to mean terminating a partnership completely.
• Example 5:
  • 我们不能断绝食物和水的供应。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bùnéng duànjué shíwù hé shuǐ de gōngyìng.
  • English: We cannot cut off the food and water supply.
  • Analysis: This example shows 断绝 used for something non-relational: a supply line. The meaning of “to completely cut off” remains.
• Example 6:
  • 她因为朋友的背叛，伤心地与他断绝了来往。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi péngyou de bèipàn, shāngxīn de yǔ tā duànjué le láiwǎng.
  • English: She sadly cut off all dealings with her friend because of his betrayal.
  • Analysis: 来往 (láiwǎng) means dealings, contact, or back-and-forth communication. Severing it is a very strong way to end a friendship.
• Example 7:
  • 他的这个决定断绝了他所有的后路。
  • Pinyin: Tā de zhè ge juédìng duànjué le tā suǒyǒu de hòulù.
  • English: This decision of his cut off all his routes of retreat.
  • Analysis: A more abstract or metaphorical usage. “后路” (hòulù) means “path of retreat” or “way out.” 断绝 here means to eliminate any possibility of turning back.
• Example 8:
  • 医生说，病人已经断绝了呼吸。
  • Pinyin: Yīshēng shuō, bìngrén yǐjīng duànjué le hūxī.
  • English: The doctor said the patient has stopped breathing.
  • Analysis: A very stark, clinical use. Here, it means respiration has completely and finally ceased. This is a very formal and somewhat literary way to say it.
• Example 9:
  • 为了开始新的生活，他决心与自己的过去彻底断绝。
  • Pinyin: Wèile kāishǐ xīn de shēnghuó, tā juéxīn yǔ zìjǐ de guòqù chèdǐ duànjué.
  • English: In order to start a new life, he was determined to completely break from his past.
  • Analysis: Here, the object is abstract (“the past”). The adverb 彻底 (chèdǐ - thoroughly) is often used with 断绝 to add even more emphasis.
• Example 10:
  • 除非你道歉，否则我将断绝我们之间的友谊。
  • Pinyin: Chúfēi nǐ dàoqiàn, fǒuzé wǒ jiāng duànjué wǒmen zhījiān de yǒuyì.
  • English: Unless you apologize, I will sever the friendship between us.
  • Analysis: A direct threat or ultimatum, showing the deliberate and confrontational nature of the word.

The most common mistake for English speakers is using 断绝 (duànjué) when they mean to say “break up” with a romantic partner. This is a critical error in severity.

• False Friends: “Break Up” vs. “Sever”
  • To end a romantic relationship (dating), the correct word is 分手 (fēnshǒu), which literally means “to separate hands.” It can be sad, but it's a normal life event.
  • 断绝 (duànjué) is for ending a fundamental relationship, often one you cannot easily escape, like family, or a very deep bond broken by betrayal. Using it for a simple breakup is overly dramatic and incorrect.
• Incorrect Usage:
  • (Wrong) 我和我的女朋友断绝了。 (Wǒ hé wǒ de nǚpéngyou duànjué le.)
  • (Why it's wrong) This sounds like you performed a formal ceremony to disown your girlfriend as if she were a family member who committed a terrible crime. It's far too intense.
  • (Correct) 我和我的女朋友分手了。 (Wǒ hé wǒ de nǚpéngyou fēnshǒu le.) - “My girlfriend and I broke up.”

Remember: 分手 (fēnshǒu) is for partners. 断绝 (duànjué) is for enemies, traitors, and countries at war.

• 分手 (fēnshǒu) - To break up (romantically). Much less severe and the correct term for dating couples.
• 决裂 (juéliè) - To rupture a relationship, break with. Similar in strength to `断绝`, often used for former allies, friends, or political factions who have a major fallout.
• 绝交 (juéjiāo) - To sever a friendship. Very similar to `断绝` but almost exclusively used for friendships.
• 断交 (duànjiāo) - To sever diplomatic or social relations. A more specific synonym often used in formal contexts.
• 分开 (fēnkāi) - To separate. A neutral term that can describe a temporary physical separation, not necessarily a permanent end to a relationship.
• 关系 (guānxi) - Relationship, connection. This is the concept/object that is often being severed by `断绝`.
• 联系 (liánxì) - Contact, communication. A more concrete aspect of a relationship that is cut off. One might `断绝联系` (sever contact).
• 拉黑 (lā hēi) - (Slang) To block someone (online). Literally “to pull into the blacklist.” This is the modern, digital, and much less formal version of cutting someone off.