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切断 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
切断qiēduànto cut offHSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #3578, Very Hard
切断qiēduànto severHSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #3578, Very Hard
qiēduàn(qie1duan4)qie duan T1
  1. 1to cut off
  2. 2to sever
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March 24, 2026

切断(切斷)qiēduàn(qie1duan4)

切断 (qie1 duan4) means 'to cut off' or 'to sever.' It is commonly used in both literal contexts, such as cutting a rope or a wire, and metaphorical contexts, like severing ties or relationships. The term conveys a sense of finality and separation.

Strokes15Frequency#3578DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the idea of severing ties can have significant implications, especially in familial or business contexts. For instance, cutting off relationships can be seen as a serious act, often reflecting deep emotional or strategic decisions.

Memory tip

Imagine a pair of scissors cutting a rope in half. The '切' (qie) sounds like 'cheer,' as in cheering on the scissors for their clean cut, while '断' (duan) can remind you of 'done,' indicating that the rope is now severed and no longer connected.

Meanings of 切断

qiēduàn(qie1duan4)
1to cut off
2to sever
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About 切断

切断Simplified
切斷Traditional
15Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 切断

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AI study notes for 切断

Quick Contrast

割断 (gēduàn) - use 切断 when emphasizing a clean or complete severing, while 割断 may imply a more forceful or rough cutting.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the contexts in which you use 切断, as it can imply a harsh or final action. It's often used in formal discussions about relationships or connections, so avoid using it in overly casual contexts. Common collocations include '切断联系' (qie1 duan4 lian2 xi4 - to sever connections) and '切断电源' (qie1 duan4 dian4 yuan2 - to cut off the power supply).

HSK Study Tips

切断 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, but it connects well with other verbs related to actions (like 切 - to cut) and concepts of separation (like 断 - to break). Students should focus on the radicals in the characters to better understand their meanings.

Common Mistakes

Learners might mistakenly use 切断 in overly casual conversations. For example, saying '我切断了我的朋友' (I cut off my friend) is inappropriate; a better phrasing would be '我和我的朋友断了联系' (I severed ties with my friend).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 切断

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Component characters

切qiēto cut
HSK 54 strokes刀
View full entry
断duànto break
HSK 511 strokes斤
View full entry

How to say to cut off in Chinese

“to cut off” in Chinese is切断qiēduàn

切断 (qie1 duan4) means 'to cut off' or 'to sever.' It is commonly used in both literal contexts, such as cutting a rope or a wire, and metaphorical contexts, like severing ties or relationships. The term conveys a sense of finality and separation.

When to use 切断

Be cautious with the contexts in which you use 切断, as it can imply a harsh or final action. It's often used in formal discussions about relationships or connections, so avoid using it in overly casual contexts. Common collocations include '切断联系' (qie1 duan4 lian2 xi4 - to sever connections) and '切断电源' (qie1 duan4 dian4 yuan2 - to cut off the power supply).

切断 or something close to it

割断 (gēduàn) - use 切断 when emphasizing a clean or complete severing, while 割断 may imply a more forceful or rough cutting.

What learners get wrong

Learners might mistakenly use 切断 in overly casual conversations. For example, saying '我切断了我的朋友' (I cut off my friend) is inappropriate; a better phrasing would be '我和我的朋友断了联系' (I severed ties with my friend).

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切
断

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Frequently asked questions about 切断

Yes, it is often used to describe severing relationships or connections, not just physical objects.

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