Usage and Nuance
The verb 断绝 (duànjué) means "to sever" or "to break off," often used in contexts involving relationships, communication, or connections. It implies a complete and often permanent break, stronger than just "stop" or "pause."
Common Collocations
- 断绝关系 (duànjué guānxi): to sever relations, often used for personal or diplomatic relationships.
- 断绝联系 (duànjué liánxì): to break off contact.
- 断绝往来 (duànjué wǎnglái): to cut off dealings or interactions.
These phrases emphasize a decisive and total disconnection.
Register and Tone
This word is formal and often appears in written or serious spoken contexts, such as news reports, formal statements, or serious personal decisions. It carries a strong tone of finality.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse 断绝 with 暂停 (zàntíng, "to pause") or 中断 (zhōngduàn, "to interrupt"), which imply temporary or partial breaks. 断绝 suggests a permanent and complete severance.
Summary
Use 断绝 when you want to express a firm and irreversible break in relationships or connections, especially in formal or serious contexts.