fèichú: 废除 - Abolish, Annul, Repeal

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• Summary: Learn the meaning and use of 废除 (fèichú), a formal Chinese verb for “to abolish” or “repeal.” This page explains how `fèichú` is used in serious contexts like law, politics, and history to talk about getting rid of entire systems, unfair laws, or outdated institutions. Discover its cultural significance and how it differs from the more common word for “cancel” (取消, qǔxiāo).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fèichú
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: To officially end a law, system, treaty, or long-standing practice.
• In a Nutshell: Think of `废除` as using a giant, official stamp to completely invalidate something significant. It's not for canceling a meeting or an order; it's for dismantling big, established things like a national policy, an unjust law, or an entire social system. The word carries a heavy, formal, and often historical weight, signifying a major change or reform.

• 废 (fèi): This character means “to abandon,” “to废除廢除废除废除廢除废除废除廢除废除廃止,” “to waste,” or “to become useless.” The top part (广) is a radical for a building or shelter, suggesting a place that has fallen into disuse or ruin.
• 除 (chú): This character means “to remove,” “to get rid of,” or “to eliminate.” It implies a clearing away of something.

When combined, 废除 (fèichú) literally means to “abandon and remove.” This creates a powerful, two-part action: first, declaring something obsolete or invalid (废), and second, actively taking it away and eliminating it (除). This is why it's used for such significant actions.

`废除` is a word of great historical and social importance in China. It is often the key verb used to describe major turning points in the nation's history, marking a definitive break from the past. For example, two monumental events are almost always described with this word: 1. 废除科举制度 (fèichú kējǔ zhìdù): The abolition of the Imperial Examination System in 1905. This single act ended a 1,300-year-old institution that was the primary path to officialdom, fundamentally changing Chinese society. 2. 废除不平等条约 (fèichú bùpíngděng tiáoyuē): The abolition of the “unequal treaties” signed with foreign powers during the 19th and 20th centuries. This was a central goal of modern Chinese nationalism, representing the struggle to regain sovereignty. Compared to Western concepts, `废除` is very similar to “to abolish,” especially in the context of abolishing slavery or a monarchy. It has a stronger and more permanent connotation than “to repeal” a single law, as `废除` often implies getting rid of the entire framework or system associated with that law. It's the language of reform and revolution.

Due to its weight and formality, you will almost never hear `废除` in casual, everyday conversation. Its use is reserved for specific, serious contexts.

• Formal and Official Language: It is standard in legal documents, government announcements, and official proclamations. For example, a statement might announce the government will `废除` an outdated economic regulation.
• News and Media: Journalists use `废除` when reporting on significant policy changes, both domestically and internationally. For example, “The parliament voted to `废除` the controversial law.”
• Historical and Academic Discussion: Historians, scholars, and students use `废除` constantly when discussing major social, political, or legal reforms from the past.
• Connotation: The connotation is almost always neutral to positive. It implies progress by removing something that is unjust, inefficient, or outdated.

• Example 1:
  • 中国于1905年废除了科举制度。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó yú yījiǔlíngwǔ nián fèichúle kējǔ zhìdù.
  • English: China abolished the imperial examination system in 1905.
  • Analysis: This is a classic historical example. `废除` is used because the imperial exam was a massive, foundational “system” (制度), not just a single rule.
• Example 2:
  • 许多人呼吁废除死刑。
  • Pinyin: Xǔduō rén hūyù fèichú sǐxíng.
  • English: Many people are calling for the abolition of the death penalty.
  • Analysis: This shows `废除` used in a modern political debate. The death penalty is a legal “practice” or “system,” making `废除` the correct formal term.
• Example 3:
  • 新政府承诺将废除所有不公平的法律。
  • Pinyin: Xīn zhèngfǔ chéngnuò jiāng fèichú suǒyǒu bù gōngpíng de fǎlǜ.
  • English: The new government promised to abolish all unfair laws.
  • Analysis: The object here is “laws” (法律). `废除` conveys a strong, decisive action to remove them completely.
• Example 4:
  • 该公司决定废除过时的员工手册。
  • Pinyin: Gāi gōngsī juédìng fèichú guòshí de yuángōng shǒucè.
  • English: The company decided to abolish the outdated employee handbook.
  • Analysis: Even in a business context, `废除` can be used if the object is a formal “system” like a handbook or a set of official regulations. This sounds much more formal than just “getting rid of it.”
• Example 5:
  • 这项旧规定早已被废除了。
  • Pinyin: Zhè xiàng jiù guīdìng zǎoyǐ bèi fèichú le.
  • English: This old regulation was abolished long ago.
  • Analysis: This example uses the passive voice with `被 (bèi)`, which is common for `废除` as systems and laws are “abolished by” an authority.
• Example 6:
  • 两国同意废除之前签订的贸易壁垒条约。
  • Pinyin: Liǎng guó tóngyì fèichú zhīqián qiāndìng de màoyì bìlěi tiáoyuē.
  • English: The two countries agreed to annul the previously signed trade barrier treaty.
  • Analysis: `废除` is the correct term for annulling a formal “treaty” (条约).
• Example 7:
  • 废除“一孩政策”是中国近年来的一项重大社会变革。
  • Pinyin: Fèichú “yīhái zhèngcè” shì Zhōngguó jìnniánlái de yī xiàng zhòngdà shèhuì biàngé.
  • English: The abolition of the “one-child policy” is a major social change in China in recent years.
  • Analysis: Here, `废除` is used as the first word of the sentence, acting as a nominalized verb (“The abolition of…”). This is common in headlines and formal writing.
• Example 8:
  • 如果不废除这些限制，经济就无法发展。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ bù fèichú zhèxiē xiànzhì, jīngjì jiù wúfǎ fāzhǎn.
  • English: If these restrictions are not abolished, the economy cannot develop.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the conditional use of `废除`, showing it as a necessary action for a desired outcome.
• Example 9:
  • 历史学家正在研究废除奴隶制对社会的影响。
  • Pinyin: Lìshǐxuéjiā zhèngzài yánjiū fèichú núlìzhì duì shèhuì de yǐngxiǎng.
  • English: Historians are researching the impact of the abolition of slavery on society.
  • Analysis: A direct parallel to the English “abolition of slavery,” showing the term's use for fundamental human rights issues.
• Example 10:
  • 议会投票决定是否废除该法案。
  • Pinyin: Yìhuì tóupiào juédìng shìfǒu fèichú gāi fǎ'àn.
  • English: The parliament will vote on whether to repeal the bill.
  • Analysis: This shows the procedural, legal use of the word. The action is to `废除` a “bill” or “act” (法案).

The most common mistake for learners is confusing `废除 (fèichú)` with `取消 (qǔxiāo)`. They can both mean “get rid of,” but they are not interchangeable.

• `废除 (fèichú)`: Abolish a SYSTEM, LAW, or INSTITUTION.
  • Think big, permanent, and official. It has a historical and legal weight.
  • Correct: `废除`一个制度 (fèichú yī gè zhìdù) - abolish a system.
  • Correct: `废除`一条法律 (fèichú yī tiáo fǎlǜ) - abolish a law.
• `取消 (qǔxiāo)`: Cancel an EVENT, PLAN, ORDER, or QUALIFICATION.
  • Think smaller scale, often temporary, and part of daily life.
  • Correct: `取消`一个会议 (qǔxiāo yī gè huìyì) - cancel a meeting.
  • Correct: `取消`一个订单 (qǔxiāo yī gè dìngdān) - cancel an order.

Common Mistake Example:

• Incorrect: 我要废除我们明天的约会。 (Wǒ yào fèichú wǒmen míngtiān de yuēhuì.)
• Why it's wrong: An appointment (`约会`) is a simple event, not a national system or law. Using `废除` here is grammatically incorrect and sounds absurdly dramatic, as if you were abolishing the very institution of dating.
• Correct: 我要取消我们明天的约会。 (Wǒ yào qǔxiāo wǒmen míngtiān de yuēhuì.) - I want to cancel our date for tomorrow.

• 取消 (qǔxiāo) - To cancel. The most common “false friend” of `废除`. Used for events, plans, and orders.
• 废止 (fèizhǐ) - To annul; to cease. A very close synonym of `废除`, often used interchangeably in legal contexts for laws and regulations. It's slightly more focused on making something no longer valid.
• 建立 (jiànlì) - Antonym: to establish, to set up. You `建立` a system, and later you might `废除` it.
• 实行 (shíxíng) - To implement, to put into practice (a policy, a system). The action that happens before something might be abolished.
• 推翻 (tuīfān) - To overthrow (a government, a dynasty). More violent and politically charged than `废除`. You `推翻` a regime, and then the new regime might `废除` the old laws.
• 撤销 (chèxiāo) - To revoke, to repeal (a decision, a license, a qualification). More official than `取消` but usually applies to a specific decision or permit, not a whole system.
• 制度 (zhìdù) - System, institution. A very common object of the verb `废除`.
• 法律 (fǎlǜ) - Law. Another common object of `废除`.