告辞

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gàocí: 告辞 - To Take One's Leave, To Say Goodbye (Formal)

Quick Summary

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  • Summary: Learn how to use the formal Chinese term 告辞 (gàocí), which means 'to take one's leave' or 'to say goodbye.' Unlike the casual 再见 (zàijiàn), 告辞 is used in formal settings like business meetings, official events, or when respectfully departing from an elder's home. This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and provides practical examples, helping you understand when and how to use 告辞 to show politeness and respect in Chinese.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): gàocí
  • Part of Speech: Verb
  • HSK Level: HSK 5
  • Concise Definition: To formally announce one's departure from a place or event.
  • In a Nutshell: 告辞 (gàocí) is not just a simple “goodbye.” It's a polite and formal verbal act of excusing yourself and announcing your intention to leave. Think of it as the Chinese equivalent of saying, “If you'll excuse me, I must be going now,” or “I'm afraid I have to take my leave.” It's used to show respect to a host, a superior, or elders, and is essential in formal and professional situations.

Character Breakdown

  • 告 (gào): This character means “to announce,” “to inform,” or “to tell.” It pictures a mouth (口) under an ox horn (牛), historically suggesting a formal announcement or report made to the authorities.
  • 辞 (cí): This character means “to take leave,” “to depart,” or “to resign.” It can also mean “words” or “diction.” In this compound, it clearly takes on the meaning of departure.
  • Combined Meaning: The characters literally combine to mean “to announce departure.” This captures the essence of the word perfectly: you are formally informing others that you are leaving.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • The Importance of Ritual and Respect: In Chinese culture, social interactions are often guided by rituals that show respect (尊敬) and maintain social harmony (和谐). Abruptly leaving a formal gathering without a proper farewell would be considered rude and a loss of “face” (面子) for both the guest and the host. Using 告辞 (gàocí) is a crucial part of this social etiquette. It signals that you respect the occasion and the people present.
  • Comparison to Western Culture: While in casual Western settings, an “Irish goodbye” (leaving without telling anyone) might be acceptable among friends, it would be highly inappropriate in a formal Chinese context. 告辞 (gàocí) is a more structured and respectful act than a simple “Bye!” or “I'm heading out.” It's similar in function to the formal English phrase “to take one's leave,” but it is much more commonly used in its equivalent contexts in China. It's a verbal bow, acknowledging the host's hospitality before you depart.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • Formal & Business Settings: This is the primary domain for 告辞. Use it when leaving a business meeting, a formal banquet, a conference, or any professional event. It conveys professionalism and politeness.
  • Visiting Elders and Superiors: When you are a guest in the home of an elder, a teacher, or a person of higher social standing, using 告辞 upon departure is a key sign of respect.
  • Connotation & Formality: The word is inherently formal and carries a respectful, slightly distant tone. It is not used between close friends, peers in a casual setting, or family members. Using it with friends would sound strange, overly stiff, and might even create an awkward distance. For casual goodbyes, you would use 拜拜 (bàibai) or 我走了 (wǒ zǒu le).

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 时间不早了，我先告辞了。
    • Pinyin: Shíjiān bù zǎo le, wǒ xiān gàocí le.
    • English: It's getting late, so I'll take my leave now.
    • Analysis: A very common and polite way to excuse yourself from a gathering. The phrase “时间不早了” (It's getting late) provides a natural reason for leaving.
  • Example 2:
    • 王总，今天的会议很成功。我还有点事，就此告辞。
    • Pinyin: Wáng zǒng, jīntiān de huìyì hěn chénggōng. Wǒ háiyǒu diǎnr shì, jiùcǐ gàocí.
    • English: Director Wang, today's meeting was very successful. I have another matter to attend to, so I'll take my leave here.
    • Analysis: Used in a business context. The speaker first compliments the meeting before politely excusing themselves. “就此” (jiùcǐ) means “at this point” or “here,” making the statement even more formal.
  • Example 3:
    • 谢谢您的款待，我们告辞了。
    • Pinyin: Xièxie nín de kuǎndài, wǒmen gàocí le.
    • English: Thank you for your hospitality, we must be going now.
    • Analysis: A classic phrase used by guests when leaving a host's home after a meal or a party. It's polite and expresses gratitude.
  • Example 4:
    • A: 我先告辞了，各位再见。 B: 好的，慢走！
    • Pinyin: A: Wǒ xiān gàocí le, gèwèi zàijiàn. B: Hǎo de, màn zǒu!
    • English: A: I'll take my leave first, goodbye everyone. B: Okay, take care on your way out!
    • Analysis: This shows how 告辞 can be used together with 再见 (zàijiàn). 告辞 is the act of announcing departure, while 再见 is the farewell. The response 慢走 (màn zǒu) is a typical polite reply from the host.
  • Example 5:
    • 我明天一早的火车，得回去收拾行李了，向您告辞。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ míngtiān yīzǎo de huǒchē, děi huíqù shōushí xínglǐ le, xiàng nín gàocí.
    • English: I have an early train tomorrow and need to go back to pack, so I've come to bid you farewell.
    • Analysis: The structure “向您告辞” (xiàng nín gàocí) - “to bid farewell *to you*” - is very respectful and formal, often used with elders or superiors.
  • Example 6:
    • 今天的讨论就到这里吧，我告辞了。
    • Pinyin: Jīntiān de tǎolùn jiù dào zhèlǐ ba, wǒ gàocí le.
    • English: Let's end today's discussion here. I'll be leaving now.
    • Analysis: A way for someone, perhaps the person leading a discussion or meeting, to formally conclude it and announce their own departure.
  • Example 7:
    • 在给教授发邮件的结尾，他写道：“学生李明，告辞。”
    • Pinyin: Zài gěi jiàoshòu fā yóujiàn de jiéwěi, tā xiě dào: “Xuéshēng Lǐ Míng, gàocí.”
    • English: At the end of the email to the professor, he wrote: “Student Li Ming, bidding farewell.”
    • Analysis: Demonstrates the use of 告辞 in formal written communication. It serves as a very respectful closing.
  • Example 8:
    • 恕我不能久留，先行告辞。
    • Pinyin: Shù wǒ bùnéng jiǔ liú, xiānxíng gàocí.
    • English: Forgive me for not being able to stay long, I must take my leave now.
    • Analysis: “恕我” (shù wǒ) means “forgive me” or “pardon me,” adding a layer of apology and making the departure extremely polite. This is highly formal language.
  • Example 9:
    • 他站起身，向主人拱了拱手，说：“告辞。”
    • Pinyin: Tā zhàn qǐshēn, xiàng zhǔrén gǒngle gǒng shǒu, shuō: “Gàocí.”
    • English: He stood up, cupped his hands in a traditional salute to the host, and said: “I take my leave.”
    • Analysis: This paints a picture of a very traditional and formal departure, often seen in historical dramas but still understood as the height of politeness today.
  • Example 10:
    • 不打扰您工作了，我告辞了。
    • Pinyin: Bù dǎrǎo nín gōngzuò le, wǒ gàocí le.
    • English: I won't disturb your work any longer; I'll be on my way.
    • Analysis: A considerate way to leave an office or workspace, showing that you are mindful of the other person's time.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • Mistake 1: Using 告辞 with close friends.
    • (Incorrect): 和朋友们在酒吧玩，你说：“兄弟们，我告辞了！” (At a bar with your buddies, you say: “Bros, I shall take my leave!”)
    • (Why it's wrong): This is socially awkward and overly formal. It creates a strange distance. Your friends would probably laugh or be confused.
    • (Correct): Use a casual phrase like: “我先走了啊！” (wǒ xiān zǒu le a! - I'm heading out!) or simply “拜拜！” (bàibai!).
  • Mistake 2: Confusing 告辞 (gàocí) with 再见 (zàijiàn).
    • These are not interchangeable. 告辞 is the *formal action* of announcing your departure. 再见 is a *general farewell greeting* meaning “see you again.”
    • You can use them together: you first perform the action of 告辞, and then say the farewell 再见.
    • Example: “李经理，我先告辞了，再见。” (Lǐ jīnglǐ, wǒ xiān gàocí le, zàijiàn - Manager Li, I'll take my leave now, goodbye.)
  • Mistake 3: Thinking it's just an old-fashioned word.
    • While 告辞 has a traditional and classic feel, it is absolutely still used in modern business, academic, and formal social contexts in China. Not knowing this word means you lack a key tool for showing respect in important situations. Don't avoid it; learn when to use it.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • `再见 (zàijiàn)` - The standard, all-purpose word for “goodbye.” Far less formal than 告辞.
  • `拜拜 (bàibai)` - A casual, phonetic borrowing of “bye-bye,” used among friends and peers. The informal counterpart to 告辞.
  • `失陪 (shīpéi)` - “Excuse me for leaving” (literally “to lose your company”). A very polite phrase used when you must leave a social event early, often before other guests.
  • `慢走 (màn zǒu)` - Literally “walk slowly.” This is not something the departing person says, but what the host says in response. It means “take care” or “watch your step on the way out.”
  • `留步 (liúbù)` - Literally “stay your steps.” A polite phrase said by a departing guest to a host who is escorting them to the door, meaning “Please don't bother seeing me out.”
  • `告别 (gàobié)` - To bid farewell. This term is broader than 告辞 and often implies a longer or more emotional separation, like saying goodbye to someone moving away.
  • `辞行 (cíxíng)` - To say goodbye before embarking on a long journey. More specific than 告辞.
  • `我走了 (wǒ zǒu le)` - “I'm leaving” or “I'm off.” A very common, neutral-to-informal way to announce you're going.