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绝交 (jué jiāo) — to break off relations, to sever ties (with a friend or associate)

Definition

A strong verb meaning to completely cut off a personal relationship — usually a close friend, not a casual acquaintance. Ties with 断交, which is more formal and used for states or organizations.

verb
to break off relationsto sever ties (with a friend or associate)

Examples

  • 绝交。
    Tā men chǎo jià yǐ hòu jiù jué jiāo le.
    They cut ties after the argument.
  • ，。
    Wǒ gēn tā yǐ jīng jué le jiāo, bú zài lái wǎng le.
    I have already cut ties with him and no longer keep in touch.
  • ，绝交。
    Yīn wèi wù huì, tā hé zuì hǎo de péng you jué jiāo le.
    Because of a misunderstanding, she broke off relations with her best friend.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

绝juésever
交jiāorelations

绝 means sever and 交 means relations, so ties are broken off.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 絕; 绝 is its simplified writing.

In the traditional form 絕, 刀 (knife) and 幺 (silk) show a knife cutting silk threads. The simplified 绝 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the original picture.

Open 绝 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

交 originally drew a human with crossed legs. In the modern shape, the upper part resembles a standing person.

Open 交 →
Appears in
Conflict & AgreementFriends & Social

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