解除

• Pinyin: jiě chú
• Hanzi breakdown: 解 = 角 (horn) + 刀 (knife) + 牛 (ox), depicting cutting apart; 除 = 阝(mound) + 余, meaning to remove

Meaning

Remove; relieve; lift; dissolve.

Used for removing restrictions, ending agreements, or relieving someone from duty. Common collocations include 解除合同 (terminate a contract), 解除警报 (lift an alert), 解除职务 (relieve of duty). Implies formal or official action.

Examples

1. 双方协商后决定解除这份合作协议。 After negotiation, both parties decided to dissolve the cooperation agreement.
2. 警报已经解除，大家可以恢复正常生活了。 The alert has been lifted — everyone can return to normal life.
3. 医生说他的病情好转，可以解除隔离了。 The doctor said his condition has improved and the quarantine can be lifted.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, medical, official, business

Tone: formal

Do Say

• 公司决定解除与他的劳动合同。(The company decided to terminate his employment contract.)
• 封锁已经解除。(The lockdown has been lifted.)

Don't Say

• 解除我的衣服 (For removing clothes, use 脱 — 解除 is for abstract things like contracts or restrictions)

Origin & History

Compound of 解 (untie, explain) + 除 (remove), meaning to untie and remove.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal