罢休

bàxiū

to give up

HSK 7

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The verb 罢休 (bàxiū) means to stop, give up, or quit, often used when someone refuses to relent or cease an action or argument. It carries a sense of persistence or stubbornness, either in continuing or finally stopping after effort.

Common Contexts

罢休 is frequently used in contexts involving disputes, negotiations, or personal determination. For example, when someone refuses to stop arguing or insists on pursuing something until a resolution is reached.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 罢休争执 (give up the dispute): used when parties end a conflict.
  • 罢休 (refuse to give up): shows persistence or stubbornness.
  • 一直罢休 (continuously give up): often used negatively to indicate someone does not relent.

Usage Notes

罢休 often implies a final decision to stop after some struggle or insistence. It is stronger than simply stopping; it suggests a conscious choice to cease an ongoing effort or conflict. Avoid confusing it with 休息 (to rest), which is more about taking a break rather than ending an action permanently.

Example Sentences

他不肯罢休,一直坚持自己的观点。

Tā bù kěn bàxiū, yīzhí jiānchí zìjǐ de guāndiǎn.

He refuses to give up and keeps insisting on his own opinion.

经过多次谈判,双方终于罢休了争执。

Jīngguò duō cì tánpàn, shuāngfāng zhōngyú bàxiū le zhēngzhí.

After many negotiations, both sides finally gave up the dispute.

他为了这件事一直不罢休,直到解决为止。

Tā wèile zhè jiàn shì yīzhí bù bàxiū, zhídào jiějué wéizhǐ.

He kept at it without giving up until the matter was resolved.