TongTong
Sign in

截断 (jié duàn) — to sever, to cut off (something physical so that it breaks); to interrupt, to block (a process, signal, supply, or conversation)

Definition

Used for physically severing something or abruptly stopping a process — stronger and more decisive than 打断 ('interrupt'), which usually applies to people speaking.

verb
to severto cut off (something physical so that it breaks)to interruptto block (a process, signal, supply, or conversation)

Examples

  • 截断。
    Gōng rén yòng jù zi bǎ diàn lǎn jié duàn le.
    The worker severed the cable with a saw.
  • 截断。
    Tū rú qí lái de zào yīn jié duàn le wǒ men de tōng huà.
    The sudden noise interrupted our phone call.
  • 截断。
    Hóng shuǐ jié duàn le tōng wǎng shān qū de dào lù.
    The flood blocked the road leading to the mountain area.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

截jiécut
断duànbroken

截 means to cut, and 断 gives the idea of being separated, so the meaning is to cut off.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
戈戈gē
Sound part声符shēngfú
雀
雀què截jié
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

截 combines 戈 and 雀, with 雀 supplying the sound.

Open 截 →

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
Change & Process

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.