倒闭

• Pinyin: dǎo bì
• Hanzi breakdown: 倒 = 亻(person) + 到 (arrive, reach); 闭 = 门 (door) + 才 (component)

Meaning

To go bankrupt; to close down. Describes a business or company that fails and ceases operations.

Specifically used for businesses, companies, shops, and factories — not for individuals going broke. It implies a permanent shutdown due to financial failure. For personal bankruptcy, 破产 is used instead. Often appears in news and economic discussions.

Examples

1. 因为生意不好，街角那家餐厅上个月倒闭了。 Because business was bad, the restaurant on the street corner closed down last month.
2. 经济危机的时候，很多小公司都倒闭了。 During the economic crisis, many small companies went bankrupt.
3. 如果不改变经营方式，这家店迟早会倒闭。 If they don't change their business approach, this shop will close down sooner or later.

Usage Guide

Context: business, economics, news

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 那家工厂去年倒闭了，工人们都失业了。(That factory went bankrupt last year, and all the workers lost their jobs.)
• 很多实体店因为网购的影响而倒闭。(Many physical stores closed down due to the impact of online shopping.)

Don't Say

• 说一个人倒闭了 (Don't say a person 倒闭 — this word is only for businesses or organisations; use 破产 for personal bankruptcy)

Origin & History

倒 means to collapse or fall down, and 闭 means to close or shut. Together they depict a business collapsing and shutting its doors.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal