diàoxiāo: 吊销 - To Revoke, To Rescind, To Suspend (a license/permit)
Quick Summary
Keywords: 吊销, diaoxiao, revoke license in Chinese, rescind permit, what does diaoxiao mean, Chinese for suspend license, 吊销驾照, 吊销营业执照, revoke business license Chinese, cancel official document.
Summary: The Chinese verb 吊销 (diàoxiāo) means to revoke or rescind an official document, such as a license, permit, or certificate. It is a formal term used by an authority to permanently or for a long term nullify a privilege due to a serious violation. Understanding `diàoxiāo` is key to comprehending legal and administrative consequences in China, such as having a driver's license (吊销驾照) or a business license (吊销营业执照) revoked.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): diàoxiāo
Part of Speech: Verb
HSK Level: HSK 6
Concise Definition: To officially revoke or rescind a previously issued permit, license, or certificate.
In a Nutshell: Think of `吊销` as the ultimate “cancellation” by an official body. It's not a temporary timeout; it's when an authority (like the traffic bureau or a medical board) takes away your license or permit for a long time, or even for good, because you broke a major rule. It carries a heavy, serious, and official weight.
Character Breakdown
吊 (diào): The primary meaning is “to hang” or “to suspend.” Imagine an object being hung up on a hook, taking it out of use and putting it away.
销 (xiāo): This character means “to cancel,” “to eliminate,” or “to melt away.” It implies making something disappear or become void.
The two characters combine to create a powerful image: an authority “hangs up” (吊) a license and “eliminates” (销) its legal power. This vividly portrays the act of taking an official privilege out of circulation permanently.
Cultural Context and Significance
`吊销` is a powerful term that reflects the formal, regulatory role of the state in Chinese society. The ability for a government body to grant and, more importantly, to revoke privileges is a fundamental aspect of its authority. The word itself is unambiguous and final, leaving little room for negotiation.
Comparison to Western Concepts: In English, we have “revoke,” “rescind,” and “suspend.” `吊销` is a near-perfect match for “revoke.” The key difference is often in the contrast with a temporary action. While an American might say their license was “suspended” for 90 days, this would be `暂扣 (zànkòu)` in Chinese. `吊销 (diàoxiāo)` implies a much more severe and long-term penalty, often requiring the person to re-apply for the license from scratch after a period of years, if they are even allowed to. The finality of `吊销` underscores a system where violations of official rules can have definitive and harsh consequences.
Practical Usage in Modern China
`吊销` is a formal, official term. You will encounter it in news reports, legal documents, and official announcements, but rarely in casual, everyday conversation unless discussing a serious legal matter.
Common Contexts:
Traffic Law: This is the most common context for learners. A driver's license (`驾照`) is revoked for severe offenses like drunk driving or a hit-and-run.
Business Regulation: A company can have its business license (`营业执照`) revoked for illegal operations, major tax fraud, or public safety violations.
Professional Conduct: A professional's license, such as a doctor's (`医师执照`) or lawyer's (`律师执照`), can be revoked for malpractice or severe ethical breaches.
Connotation: The connotation is always negative, serious, and formal. It signifies that a significant transgression has occurred, leading to a severe penalty from an authoritative body.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
他因为酒后驾车，驾照被吊销了。
Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi jiǔhòu jiàchē, jiàzhào bèi diàoxiāo le.
English: His driver's license was revoked because he drove drunk.
Analysis: A classic example using the passive voice (`被`) to show that the license was revoked by an authority.
English: According to the new regulations, drivers with multiple violations will have their licenses revoked for life.
Analysis: The modifier `终身 (zhōngshēn)` means “lifelong,” emphasizing the ultimate severity of `吊销`.
Example 8:
他被指控伪造文件，律师执照也面临被吊销的风险。
Pinyin: Tā bèi zhǐkòng wèizào wénjiàn, lǜshī zhízhào yě miànlín bèi diàoxiāo de fēngxiǎn.
English: He was accused of forging documents, and his law license also faces the risk of being revoked.
Analysis: Shows a situation where revocation is a possible future consequence (`面临…风险` - faces the risk of).
Example 9:
别把吊销和暂扣搞混了，前者要严重得多。
Pinyin: Bié bǎ diàoxiāo hé zànkòu gǎo hùn le, qiánzhě yào yánzhòng de duō.
English: Don't confuse “revocation” with “temporary suspension”; the former is much more serious.
Analysis: This sentence directly explains the nuance between `吊销` and `暂扣` (temporary suspension).
Example 10:
政府有权吊销任何不符合安全标准的机构的认证。
Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ yǒuquán diàoxiāo rènhé bù fúhé ānquán biāozhǔn de jīgòu de rènzhèng.
English: The government has the authority to revoke the certification of any institution that does not meet safety standards.
Analysis: This example highlights that `吊销` applies not just to licenses (`执照`) but also to certifications (`认证`) and that it is an exercise of authority (`有权`).
Nuances and Common Mistakes
`吊销` (revoke) vs. `暂扣` (temporarily suspend): This is the most critical distinction for a learner. `吊销` is long-term or permanent. `暂扣 (zànkòu)` is a temporary confiscation. If your license is taken away for a month, it's `被暂扣了`. If it's taken away for two years, it's `被吊销了`. Using `吊销` for a short-term suspension is incorrect.
`吊销` (revoke) vs. `注销` (deregister/cancel voluntarily): `吊销` is a punishment from an authority. `注销 (zhùxiāo)` is usually a voluntary action. For example, when you close your business properly, you go to the authorities to `注销` your business license. If you commit fraud and the government shuts you down, your license is `被吊销`.
Formality: `吊销` is exclusively for official/legal contexts. It is a serious, formal word.
Incorrect: 我要吊销你的会员卡！(Wǒ yào diàoxiāo nǐ de huìyuánkǎ!) - “I'm going to revoke your membership card!”
Correct (more natural): 我要取消你的会员资格。(Wǒ yào qǔxiāo nǐ de huìyuán zīgé.) - “I'm going to cancel your membership.”
Related Terms and Concepts
执照 (zhízhào) - License, permit. The type of document that is often the object of `吊销`.
驾照 (jiàzhào) - Driver's license. A very common word used with `吊销`.
取消 (qǔxiāo) - To cancel. A much broader and more general term. You can `取消` an order or a meeting. `吊销` is a specific, official type of `取消`.
注销 (zhùxiāo) - To deregister, to write off. This is typically a voluntary cancellation, whereas `吊销` is an involuntary, punitive action by an authority.
撤销 (chèxiāo) - To repeal, to retract. Similar to `吊销`, but often used for revoking decisions, appointments, or charges, sometimes implying the original action was mistaken.
没收 (mòshōu) - To confiscate. Refers to the seizure of physical property (e.g., illegal goods, a vehicle), while `吊销` refers to the nullification of a legal right or document.
暂扣 (zànkòu) - To temporarily detain/impound. The direct opposite of `吊销` in terms of duration; this is a short-term, temporary suspension.
营业执照 (yíngyè zhízhào) - Business license. Another common document that can be revoked.
处分 (chǔfèn) - Punishment, disciplinary action. `吊销` is a severe form of `处分`.
违规 (wéiguī) - To violate regulations. The reason or cause that often leads to a license being `吊销`.