屈服

• Pinyin: qū fú
• Hanzi breakdown: 屈 = 尸 + 出 (bend/yield — a body forced to bow); 服 = 月 + 卩 (obey/submit)

Meaning

To yield; to submit; to give in; to capitulate under pressure. Implies abandoning one's position or principles under duress.

不屈服 (refuse to yield) is a common expression of moral resolve. Contrasts with 妥协 (compromise), which can be reasonable. Carries a negative connotation when yielding is seen as a failure of integrity.

Examples

1. 尽管遭受巨大压力，这位学者始终坚守学术立场，拒绝向权贵屈服。 Despite immense pressure, the scholar held firm to his academic position and refused to yield to the powerful.
2. 谈判陷入僵局，双方都不愿率先屈服，最终以破裂告终。 Negotiations reached a stalemate, and neither side was willing to give in first, so they ultimately collapsed.
3. 她在逆境中没有屈服，凭借坚定的意志一次次重新站了起来。 She didn’t give in during adversity; with sheer determination, she got back on her feet again and again.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, personal integrity, negotiation, moral narrative

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 面对外来施压，该国政府明确表示绝不屈服，将坚定捍卫本国的主权与尊严。(Facing external pressure, the government made it clear it would never yield and would firmly defend the country's sovereignty and dignity.)
• 他宁愿承受一切后果，也不肯向不合理的指控屈服，这种骨气赢得了所有同事的敬重。(He would rather bear all the consequences than submit to unjust accusations — such integrity earned him the respect of all his colleagues.)

Don't Say

• 她向男朋友屈服了，同意了他的提议 — use 答应 or 妥协 for agreeing to a partner's suggestion; 屈服 implies being forced into submission against one's will, not a willing or mutual compromise

Origin & History

屈 (bend/yield) + 服 (submit/comply) — to bend and submit under force

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal