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了断 (liǎo duàn) — to settle (a case or dispute); to end (one's life), to commit suicide

Definition

了断 (liǎoduàn) means to bring a conflict to a final, often decisive, end — settling a dispute or ending one's life. Note the pronunciation 'liǎo' (the change/le particle, not the completion le).

to settle (a case or dispute)to end (one's life)to commit suicide

Examples

  • 了断。
    Tā men zhōng yú duì péi cháng wèn tí zuò le liǎo duàn.
    They finally settled the compensation issue.
  • 了断。
    Tā yīn wèi wú fǎ chéng shòu tòng kǔ ér xuǎn zé le liǎo duàn.
    She chose to end her life because she couldn't bear the pain.
  • 了断。
    Zhè jiàn shì xū yào yí gè chè dǐ de liǎo duàn.
    This matter needs a thorough resolution.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

了liǎofinish
断duànsever

了 (finish) and 断 (sever) combine to mean bring something to a clear end.

Characters in this word

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

了 was once drawn to show a baby with no arms; some old comments say it showed crossed or tangled legs.

Open 了 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 斷; 断 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 斷 uses 𢇍 (to cut) and 斤 (axe) together.

Open 断 →
Appears in
Conflict & Agreement

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