絶 (jué) - To cut off, sever & to break off, discontinue

絶Tone 2

jué ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

傑君

絶 · jué

To cut off, sever;

to break off, discontinue;

to exhaust, use up;

to die out, become extinct;

desperate, hopeless;

peerless, matchless;

absolutely, extremely.

To cut off, severto break off, discontinueto exhaust, use up

Usage highlights

cut offextinctdesperate situationpeerless talentabsolutesuperb skill

Synonyms

  • 断— to break, sever
  • 尽— to exhaust, use up
  • 灭— to extinguish, destroy

Antonyms

  • 续— to continue, extend
  • 生— to live, be born
  • 存— to exist, preserve

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The power was cut off (断电).
  • They broke off diplomatic relations (断绝外交关系).
  • This species is nearly extinct (绝种).
  • He was in a desperate situation (绝境).
  • The scenery is absolutely beautiful (绝美).

Collocations

  • cut off(断绝)
  • extinct(灭绝)
  • desperate situation(绝境)
  • peerless talent(绝才)
  • absolute(绝对)
  • superb skill(绝技)

Idioms

  • Cutting off all means of retreat(破釜沉舟)
  • Unprecedented and never to be seen again(空前绝后)
  • Desperate stratagem(绝处逢生)
  • Cutting off one's retreat(断其后路)
  • Superb workmanship(巧夺天工)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese philosophy, 绝 represents the ultimate end or termination, often carrying negative connotations of finality.
  • Used in martial arts contexts to describe techniques that leave no escape or are unsurpassable (绝招).
  • Appears in Buddhist texts describing the cessation of suffering or attachment.
  • Historically used in imperial contexts for severe punishments like execution of entire families (满门抄斩).

FAQ