罢休

• Pinyin: bà xiū
• Hanzi breakdown: 罢 = to stop; 休 = to rest/cease

Meaning

To give up; to let the matter drop; to stop (often used in negative).

Usually appears in negative constructions like 不肯罢休 (refuse to give up) or 绝不罢休 (absolutely won't let it go). Implies persistence in pursuing something until satisfied.

Examples

1. 他不达目的绝不罢休，这种毅力令人佩服。 He won't give up until he achieves his goal — that kind of persistence is admirable.
2. 消费者表示不退款就不罢休。 The consumers said they won't back down until they get a refund.
3. 对方不肯罢休，一直追问到底发生了什么。 The other party refused to let it go and kept asking what happened.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, conflict

Tone: determined

Do Say

• 不查清真相我不罢休。(I won't rest until I find out the truth.)
• 他们不会善罢甘休的。(They won't let this go easily.)

Don't Say

• 单独用'罢休'表示同意 (Don't use 罢休 alone to mean agreement — it almost always appears with negatives)

Origin & History

罢 (to stop) + 休 (to cease). Together: to stop and cease — to let something go.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal