断

• Pinyin: duàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 断 = simplified from 斷, depicting an axe cutting threads

Meaning

To break; to cut off; to snap; to sever. Used for things that break apart or connections that are severed.

Can describe physical breaking (rope, wire) or abstract severing (relationships, communication, power supply). Also used in compounds like 中断 (interrupt), 判断 (judge), and 不断 (continuously).

Examples

1. 那根绳子突然断了。 That rope suddenly snapped.
2. 昨天晚上停电了，网也断了。 The power went out last night and the internet was cut off too.
3. 他和老朋友断了联系已经好几年了。 He lost contact with his old friends for several years.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, technology, relationships

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 电话突然断了。(The phone call suddenly cut off.)
• 这根树枝被风吹断了。(This branch was snapped off by the wind.)

Don't Say

• 我断了这个苹果 (Don't use 断 for cutting fruit — use 切; 断 implies snapping or breaking apart, not slicing)

Origin & History

Simplified from 斷, which depicts an axe (斤) cutting through threads (糸), vividly showing the act of severing.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal