====== zhōngduàn: 中断 - To Interrupt, Suspend, Discontinue ======
===== Quick Summary =====
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  * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese verb **中断 (zhōngduàn)**, meaning "to interrupt," "suspend," or "discontinue." This HSK 5 term is crucial for understanding formal, technical, and official situations in China, from a network connection **中断** (interruption) to negotiations being **中断** (broken off). This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage with clear examples, helping you master when to use **中断** versus more casual words like "打扰 (dǎrǎo)".
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** zhōngduàn
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb
  * **HSK Level:** 5
  * **Concise Definition:** To interrupt, suspend, or break off an ongoing process, connection, or activity.
  * **In a Nutshell:** Think of **中断 (zhōngduàn)** as a "hard stop" button pressed in the middle of an activity. It's not a gentle pause; it's a disruption. It’s the word for when your internet connection drops, a power outage occurs, or a formal meeting is suddenly suspended. It carries a formal and often technical or official tone, implying that something that was supposed to continue has been unexpectedly cut short.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **中 (zhōng):** This character's primary meaning is "middle," "center," or "in." Pictorially, it represents a flag or arrow hitting the center of a target. Here, it signifies something happening "in the middle" of a process.
  * **断 (duàn):** This character means "to break," "to sever," or "to cut off." The left side (幺) relates to silk threads, and the right side (斤) is an axe. Together, they create a vivid image of an axe cutting threads.
When combined, **中断 (zhōngduàn)** literally means "to break in the middle," perfectly capturing the concept of an ongoing action being forcefully stopped before its natural conclusion.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
While **中断 (zhōngduàn)** isn't a deeply philosophical term like [[关系]] (guānxi), its usage reflects an important cultural nuance regarding formality and context.
In English, "interrupt" can be very broad. You can "interrupt" a friend's story, and you can also have a "service interruption." Chinese is more precise. **中断 (zhōngduàn)** is almost exclusively used for the second type of situation: formal, impersonal, and process-oriented interruptions.
A Western learner might mistakenly use **中断** to say "Sorry to interrupt you." This would sound very strange and overly formal in Chinese. For that, you would use [[打扰]] (dǎrǎo). This distinction highlights a preference in Chinese for using specific vocabulary for different social contexts. Using **中断** correctly shows a higher level of linguistic and social awareness—you understand the difference between a system failing (中断) and a person bothering someone (打扰). It points to a structured view of communication where different levels of formality demand different words.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**中断** is a common and practical word, especially in formal, business, and technical contexts.
=== Technical & System Interruptions ===
This is one of the most common uses of **中断**. It describes a failure in a system or service.
  * **Connotation:** Neutral to Negative (an undesirable event)
  * **Formality:** Formal/Standard
  * **Examples:** 电力中断 (diànlì zhōngduàn - power outage), 网络中断 (wǎngluò zhōngduàn - network interruption), 信号中断 (xìnhào zhōngduàn - signal loss).
=== Business & Formal Proceedings ===
Used when formal activities like meetings, negotiations, or projects are stopped unexpectedly.
  * **Connotation:** Neutral to Negative
  * **Formality:** Formal
  * **Examples:** 会议中断 (huìyì zhōngduàn - the meeting was suspended), 谈判中断 (tánpàn zhōngduàn - negotiations were broken off), 合作中断 (hézuò zhōngduàn - cooperation was suspended).
=== Life & Personal Trajectories ===
It can also describe a major disruption in a long-term personal plan, like one's education or career.
  * **Connotation:** Negative
  * **Formality:** Formal/Written
  * **Examples:** 他因病中断了学业 (tā yīn bìng zhōngduàn le xuéyè - He discontinued his studies due to illness).
===== Example Sentences =====
**Example 1:**
由于暴风雪，我们的电力供应**中断**了。
Pinyin: Yóuyú bàofēngxuě, wǒmen de diànlì gōngyìng **zhōngduàn** le.
English: Due to the blizzard, our power supply was interrupted.
Analysis: A classic, common example of **中断** used for a utility service interruption.
**Example 2:**
会议开到一半，火警警报响了，会议被迫**中断**。
Pinyin: Huìyì kāi dào yībàn, huǒjǐng jǐngbào xiǎng le, huìyì bèi pò **zhōngduàn**.
English: The fire alarm went off halfway through the meeting, and the meeting was forced to be suspended.
Analysis: The passive voice with 被 (bèi) is common with **中断**, indicating an external force caused the interruption.
**Example 3:**
网络连接突然**中断**，我没能保存我的文件。
Pinyin: Wǎngluò liánjiē túrán **zhōngduàn**, wǒ méi néng bǎocún wǒ de wénjiàn.
English: The internet connection suddenly dropped, and I couldn't save my document.
Analysis: A very practical sentence for anyone working online. **突然 (túrán)**, meaning "suddenly," frequently appears with **中断**.
**Example 4:**
由于资金问题，这个项目不得不**中断**。
Pinyin: Yóuyú zījīn wèntí, zhège xiàngmù bùdébù **zhōngduàn**.
English: Due to funding issues, this project had to be discontinued.
Analysis: Here, **中断** implies the project was stopped before completion, with uncertainty about its resumption.
**Example 5:**
两家公司之间的谈判已经**中断**了数周。
Pinyin: Liǎng jiā gōngsī zhī jiān de tánpàn yǐjīng **zhōngduàn** le shù zhōu.
English: The negotiations between the two companies have been broken off for several weeks.
Analysis: This highlights the use of **中断** in a formal business context.
**Example 6:**
他因为需要照顾家人而**中断**了他的职业生涯。
Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi xūyào zhàogù jiārén ér **zhōngduàn** le tā de zhíyè shēngyá.
English: He put his career on hold because he needed to take care of his family.
Analysis: Shows how **中断** can be used for significant life events. It's more formal than saying "he stopped working."
**Example 7:**
卫星信号**中断**，电视屏幕一片空白。
Pinyin: Wèixīng xìnhào **zhōngduàn**, diànshì píngmù yīpiàn kòngbái.
English: The satellite signal was interrupted, and the TV screen went blank.
Analysis: Another technical example, demonstrating its use with signals and communication.
**Example 8:**
大雨导致比赛**中断**了近一个小时。
Pinyin: Dà yǔ dǎozhì bǐsài **zhōngduàn** le jìn yīgè xiǎoshí.
English: The heavy rain caused the game to be suspended for nearly an hour.
Analysis: **导致 (dǎozhì)**, meaning "to lead to" or "to cause," is often used to state the reason for the **中断**.
**Example 9:**
我们之间的通讯**中断**了，我不知道他现在在哪儿。
Pinyin: Wǒmen zhī jiān de tōngxùn **zhōngduàn** le, wǒ bù zhīdào tā xiànzài zài nǎ'er.
English: The communication between us was cut off; I don't know where he is now.
Analysis: This can refer to a technical cut-off (phone line dead) or a more general stop in communication.
**Example 10:**
由于两国关系恶化，文化交流活动也随之**中断**。
Pinyin: Yóuyú liǎng guó guānxì èhuà, wénhuà jiāoliú huódòng yě suí zhī **zhōngduàn**.
English: As the relationship between the two countries deteriorated, cultural exchange activities were also suspended.
Analysis: A high-level, formal example used in political or diplomatic contexts.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
The most common mistake for English speakers is using **中断** in casual, interpersonal situations.
**Mistake:** Using **中断** instead of **打断 (dǎduàn)** or **打扰 (dǎrǎo)**.
  *   **Incorrect:** 对不起，**中断**你一下。 (Duìbùqǐ, **zhōngduàn** nǐ yīxià.)
    *   **Why it's wrong:** This sounds like you are a robot announcing a system failure in the person you're talking to. It's jarring and unnatural. **中断** is for processes, not for getting someone's attention.
  *   **Correct (Interrupting someone speaking):** 对不起，**打断**你一下。 (Duìbùqǐ, **dǎduàn** nǐ yīxià.) - "Sorry to **interrupt** you."
  *   **Correct (Politely starting a conversation):** 对不起，**打扰**一下。 (Duìbùqǐ, **dǎrǎo** yīxià.) - "Excuse me, sorry to **bother** you."
**`中断 (zhōngduàn)` vs. `停止 (tíngzhǐ)`**
  *   **中断 (zhōngduàn):** To be interrupted/suspended. Implies the action was *in progress* and was supposed to continue. The stop is often unexpected.
    *   Example: 雨下得太大了，比赛**中断**了。(Yǔ xià dé tài dà le, bǐsài **zhōngduàn** le.) - The rain was too heavy, so the game was suspended. (It's expected to resume later).
  *   **停止 (tíngzhǐ):** To stop. This can be a planned, final, or permanent stop.
    *   Example: 请**停止**吸烟。(Qǐng **tíngzhǐ** xīyān.) - Please stop smoking. (A command to cease completely).
    *   Example: 这趟公交车在下一站**停止**服务。(Zhè tàng gōngjiāo chē zài xià yí zhàn **tíngzhǐ** fúwù.) - This bus terminates service at the next stop. (A planned final stop).
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  *   [[打断]] (dǎduàn) - To cut in, to interrupt (someone speaking), to break (an object). It's more active and physical than **中断**.
  *   [[暂停]] (zàntíng) - To pause, to suspend temporarily. This is the word on the "pause" button (▶❚❚). It strongly implies that the activity will resume.
  *   [[停止]] (tíngzhǐ) - To stop, to cease. A more general term for stopping that can be final or permanent.
  *   [[打扰]] (dǎrǎo) - To disturb, to bother. Used politely when you need to get someone's attention or apologize for interrupting their peace.
  *   [[断绝]] (duànjué) - To sever, to cut off completely. Much stronger and more permanent than **中断**, used almost exclusively for relationships and ties (e.g., 断绝关系 - to sever a relationship).
  *   [[放弃]] (fàngqì) - To give up, to abandon. Refers to a personal choice to stop doing something, often due to difficulty or lack of will.
  *   [[隔断]] (géduàn) - To partition, to cut off physically. Often refers to a physical barrier, like a wall or screen that divides a space.