断 (duàn) - To break & to cut off

断Tone 4

duàn ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

丁恩

断 · duàn

To break;

to cut off;

to sever;

to judge;

to decide;

to determine;

to absolutely;

to decidedly.

To breakto cut offto sever

Usage highlights

to break offto judgeto diagnoseto interruptto decideto disconnect

Synonyms

  • 绝— to sever; to cut off
  • 判— to judge; to decide
  • 决— to decide; to determine

Antonyms

  • 连— to connect; to link
  • 续— to continue; to extend

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The rope broke (绳子断了).
  • The judge must make a ruling (法官必须断案).
  • Please disconnect the power supply (请断开电源).
  • I am absolutely certain (我断定).

Collocations

  • to break off(断绝)
  • to judge(判断)
  • to diagnose(诊断)
  • to interrupt(打断)
  • to decide(断定)
  • to disconnect(断开)

Idioms

  • To cut the Gordian knot(快刀斩乱麻)
  • To be cut off from help(断援绝粮)
  • To make a clear distinction(断然分开)
  • Broken wall and crumbling fence(断壁残垣)
  • To sever all relations(恩断义绝)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese thought, '断' carries the philosophical weight of making a clean break or a decisive judgment, often seen as a virtue in leadership.
  • The character appears in many legal and medical terms, reflecting its core meaning of analysis and decision-making.
  • The idiom '当机立断' (to make a prompt decision) is a highly valued quality in both historical and modern contexts.

FAQ