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| 告别 [2025/08/10 06:07] – created xiaoer | 告别 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 |
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| ====== gàobié: 告别 - To Bid Farewell, Say Goodbye ====== | |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | |
| * **Keywords:** 告别, gaobie, gao bie, say goodbye in Chinese, bid farewell, formal goodbye, leaving, parting, Chinese for farewell, what does gaobie mean, 再见 vs 告别 | |
| * **Summary:** Learn the Chinese word **告别 (gàobié)**, which means "to bid farewell" or "say goodbye." This term is much more formal and emotional than the simple "再见 (zàijiàn)." Discover when to use **告别** for significant departures, like leaving a job, moving to a new city, or marking the end of an era, and learn how it reflects Chinese cultural values around important life transitions. This guide provides a deep dive with cultural context, practical examples, and common mistakes to avoid. | |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** gàobié | |
| * **Part of Speech:** Verb | |
| * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 | |
| * **Concise Definition:** To formally bid farewell or say goodbye, often before a long period of separation. | |
| * **In a Nutshell:** **告别 (gàobié)** is not your everyday "goodbye." Think of it as a "farewell." It carries weight and a sense of ceremony. You use it when a significant chapter is closing—leaving a job you've held for years, moving away from your hometown, or even metaphorically "saying goodbye" to a past version of yourself. It implies a conscious, formal act of parting that acknowledges the importance of the relationship or situation you are leaving behind. | |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | |
| * **告 (gào):** To tell, inform, announce, or declare. The character's origin is sometimes linked to an ox (牛) and a mouth (口), suggesting a formal announcement or proclamation. | |
| * **别 (bié):** To leave, to separate, to part. It signifies a division or a parting of ways. | |
| The two characters combine to mean "to announce a separation." This etymology perfectly captures the essence of **告别**: it's not just leaving, but formally declaring and acknowledging the act of leaving. | |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | |
| In Chinese culture, maintaining relationships (**[[关系]] (guānxi)**) is paramount. Consequently, the beginning and ending of significant relational periods are marked with more ceremony than in some Western cultures. **告别 (gàobié)** is a key part of this. | |
| While an American might casually say "See ya later!" on their last day of work, a Chinese counterpart would more likely engage in a formal process of **告别**. This might involve a farewell dinner (**告别宴 (gàobiéyàn)**), a speech, and personally saying goodbye to colleagues. This isn't just politeness; it's about giving "face" (**[[面子]] (miànzi)**) to others by acknowledging the value of the relationship and ensuring a harmonious conclusion. | |
| **告别 (gàobié)** is the cultural script for a "good" ending. It provides closure and shows respect for the time shared. A departure without a proper **告别** can be seen as abrupt, disrespectful, or even a sign that the relationship has soured. It's the difference between ghosting someone and having a conversation to end a relationship; **告别** is the formal, respectful closure. | |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | |
| **告别 (gàobié)** is used in specific, significant contexts. It's almost always planned and carries an emotional, often somber or nostalgic, tone. | |
| * **Leaving a Job or School:** This is a very common use. An employee will formally **告别** their colleagues and boss. A graduating student will **告别** their teachers and classmates. | |
| * Example: A farewell party is called a **告别会 (gàobiéhuì)**. | |
| * **Moving Away:** When someone is moving to another city or country for a long time, they will meet with friends and family specifically to **告别**. | |
| * **Funerals:** At a funeral service (**追悼会 (zhuīdàohuì)**), attendees **告别** the deceased. This is often referred to as **向遗体告别 (xiàng yítǐ gàobié)**, "to bid farewell to the remains." | |
| * **Metaphorical Usage:** This is very common in writing and formal speech. You can **告别** an era, a habit, your youth, or a difficult past. | |
| * Example: **告别**单身生活 (gàobié dānshēn shēnghuó) - "to bid farewell to single life" (i.e., to get married). | |
| * Example: **告别**贫困 (gàobié pínkùn) - "to bid farewell to poverty." | |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | |
| * **Example 1:** | |
| * 明天我就要离开北京了，今天晚上是来向大家**告别**的。 | |
| * Pinyin: Míngtiān wǒ jiù yào líkāi Běijīng le, jīntiān wǎnshang shì lái xiàng dàjiā **gàobié** de. | |
| * English: I'm leaving Beijing tomorrow, so I came to **say farewell** to everyone tonight. | |
| * Analysis: This is a classic use case. The speaker is leaving a place for a significant period and is formally announcing their departure to a group of people. | |
| * **Example 2:** | |
| * 他在公司的最后一天，向每一位同事都**告别**了。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tā zài gōngsī de zuìhòu yì tiān, xiàng měi yí wèi tóngshì dōu **gàobié** le. | |
| * English: On his last day at the company, he **bade farewell** to every single colleague. | |
| * Analysis: This highlights the formal, respectful process of leaving a job. It's an action that is expected and shows professionalism. | |
| * **Example 3:** | |
| * 随着智能手机的普及，我们彻底**告别**了那个写信的时代。 | |
| * Pinyin: Suízhe zhìnéng shǒujī de pǔjí, wǒmen chèdǐ **gàobié** le nàge xiě xìn de shídài. | |
| * English: With the popularization of smartphones, we have completely **bid farewell** to the era of letter-writing. | |
| * Analysis: A perfect example of metaphorical usage. It marks the definitive end of an era or a way of life. | |
| * **Example 4:** | |
| * 我决定**告别**过去，开始新的生活。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ juédìng **gàobié** guòqù, kāishǐ xīn de shēnghuó. | |
| * English: I've decided to **say goodbye** to the past and start a new life. | |
| * Analysis: Here, **告别** is used for a personal, internal transition. It implies a conscious and resolute decision to leave behind a former self or situation. | |
| * **Example 5:** | |
| * 我们怀着沉痛的心情，向他做最后的**告别**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒmen huáizhe chéntòng de xīnqíng, xiàng tā zuò zuìhòu de **gàobié**. | |
| * English: With heavy hearts, we bid him our final **farewell**. | |
| * Analysis: This is the context of a funeral. The use of "最后的" (zuìhòu de - final) emphasizes the permanence of this particular farewell. | |
| * **Example 6:** | |
| * 出发前，他特地去跟爷爷奶奶**告别**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Chūfā qián, tā tèdì qù gēn yéye nǎinai **gàobié**. | |
| * English: Before departing, he made a special trip to **say goodbye** to his grandparents. | |
| * Analysis: This shows respect for elders. The departure is significant enough (e.g., a long trip) to warrant a formal, in-person farewell. | |
| * **Example 7:** | |
| * 公司为他举办了一场盛大的**告别**晚会。 | |
| * Pinyin: Gōngsī wèi tā jǔbànle yī chǎng shèng dà de **gàobié** wǎnhuì. | |
| * English: The company held a grand **farewell** party for him. | |
| * Analysis: Here, **告别** is used as an adjective modifying "晚会" (wǎnhuì - evening party). This is a common compound word: **告别会 (gàobiéhuì)**. | |
| * **Example 8:** | |
| * 那次**告别**之后，他们再也没有见过面。 | |
| * Pinyin: Nà cì **gàobié** zhīhòu, tāmen zài yě méiyǒu jiàn guò miàn. | |
| * English: After that **farewell**, they never saw each other again. | |
| * Analysis: In this sentence, **告别** functions as a noun, meaning "the act of farewell." It marks a pivotal moment in a story. | |
| * **Example 9:** | |
| * 在毕业典礼上，我们向自己的青春**告别**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zài bìyè diǎnlǐ shàng, wǒmen xiàng zìjǐ de qīngchūn **gàobié**. | |
| * English: At the graduation ceremony, we **bade farewell** to our youth. | |
| * Analysis: A poetic and metaphorical use common in speeches or writing. Graduation is seen as the formal end of the "youth" chapter of life. | |
| * **Example 10:** | |
| * 这封信就是我的**告别**信。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhè fēng xìn jiùshì wǒ de **gàobié** xìn. | |
| * English: This letter is my **farewell** letter. | |
| * Analysis: Another compound noun, **告别信 (gàobiéxìn)**. It's a letter written to say goodbye, often when one cannot do so in person. | |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | |
| The most common mistake for learners is using **告别** for casual, everyday goodbyes. It is a "false friend" with the general English word "goodbye." | |
| **Do NOT use 告别 (gàobié) when:** | |
| * Leaving the office for the day. | |
| * Hanging up the phone with a friend. | |
| * Saying goodbye to someone you will see tomorrow. | |
| Using it in these contexts would sound overly dramatic, strange, and might even make the other person worry that something serious is happening or that you're leaving for good. | |
| **Incorrect vs. Correct Usage:** | |
| * **Scenario:** Leaving a friend's house after a casual dinner. | |
| * **Incorrect:** 我们要回家了，**告别**！ (Wǒmen yào huíjiā le, **gàobié**!) | |
| * **Why it's wrong:** This is far too formal and final. It sounds like you are moving to another planet. | |
| * **Correct:** 我们要回家了，再见！ (Wǒmen yào huíjiā le, zàijiàn!) or 拜拜！ (bàibai!) | |
| * **Rule of Thumb:** If you would say "farewell" or "I'm here to say my goodbyes" in English, **告别** is probably the right word. If you would say "See ya," "Bye," or "Talk to you later," use **[[再见]] (zàijiàn)** or **拜拜 (bàibai)**. | |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | |
| * [[再见]] (zàijiàn) - The standard, neutral "goodbye." Literally "see again," it's the direct opposite of **告别** in terms of formality and finality. | |
| * [[分别]] (fēnbié) - To part; separation (as a noun). Focuses more on the state of being separated, whereas **告别** is the action of saying goodbye. | |
| * [[离别]] (líbié) - To part from; the sorrow of separation. A more literary and emotional term, often describing the sad feeling of a long-term separation. | |
| * [[送别]] (sòngbié) - To see someone off; to give a farewell. This is the action performed by the person staying behind, e.g., taking a friend to the airport. | |
| * [[辞行]] (cíxíng) - A very formal, somewhat archaic verb meaning to take one's leave, especially before a long journey and to a person of higher status. | |
| * [[永别]] (yǒngbié) - To part forever; farewell forever. The most extreme form of farewell, used almost exclusively in the context of death. | |
| * [[告辞]] (gàocí) - To take one's leave. A formal and polite way to announce you are leaving a social gathering, often said to the host. Less emotionally heavy than **告别**. | |
| * [[拜拜]] (bàibai) - A casual, informal "bye-bye," borrowed from English. Used among friends and young people. | |