放弃

• Pinyin: fàng qì
• Hanzi breakdown: 放 = to release; 弃 = to abandon/discard

Meaning

To give up; to abandon; to renounce. Voluntarily letting go of something.

Used for abandoning plans, goals, rights, relationships, or possessions. Implies a conscious decision to stop pursuing or holding onto something, often after consideration.

Examples

1. 他不想放弃这个难得的工作机会。 He doesn't want to give up this rare job opportunity.
2. 虽然很难，但我不会放弃学中文。 Although it's difficult, I won't give up learning Chinese.
3. 医生建议她放弃熬夜的习惯。 The doctor advised her to give up the habit of staying up late.

Usage Guide

Context: life decisions, goals, relationships

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 千万别轻易放弃。(Never give up easily.)
• 他放弃了高薪工作去支教。(He gave up a high-paying job to teach in rural areas.)

Don't Say

• 我放弃了我的钥匙 (For losing or misplacing items, use 丢了 — 放弃 implies deliberate abandonment)

Origin & History

Compound of 放 (to release) + 弃 (to abandon), together meaning to let go and abandon.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal