Chinese word

绝交

Pronunciation

Pinyinjué jiāo

Meaning

  • verbstop being friends

Example

我们已经绝交了。wǒ men yǐ jīng jué jiāo le

We have stopped being friends.

Illustration for 绝交 (stop being friends)

More examples

他因为争吵跟朋友绝交了。tā yīn wèi zhēng chǎo gēn péng yǒu jué jiāo le

He broke off relations with a friend after an argument.

Core concept

A complete break in personal dealings that leaves the former connection behind.

Common phrases

  • 跟朋友绝交gēn péng yǒu jué jiāo

    break off relations with a friend

  • 和他绝交hé tā jué jiāo

    break off relations with him

Similar words

断绝duàn jué: Sever all ties or connections with a person, group, or place.
断交duàn jiāo: Formally end relations between countries or organizations.
分手fēn shǒu: Bring a romantic relationship to an end.
决裂jué liè: Have a serious falling-out that completely destroys a relationship.

Definition in Chinese

断绝与对方的一切交往，表示关系彻底结束。duàn jué yǔ duì fāng de yí qiè jiāo wǎng biǎo shì guān xì chè dǐ jié shù

Word origin

The formation is transparent: 绝 (jué, "cut off") gives the complete-ending force, while 交 (jiāo, "associate") names the dealings that are ended.

Usage tips

  • For countries or organizations, Chinese normally uses separate vocabulary for ending official relations, so this word sounds specifically personal.

Other meanings

  • break off relationsverb
  • fall outverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word