告别
Traditional: 告別
gào bié HSK 5

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

我们明天要告别朋友。
Wǒmen míngtiān yào gàobié péngyǒu.
We will bid farewell to our friends tomorrow.
他告别了家乡去工作。
Tā gàobiéle jiāxiāng qù gōngzuò.
He said goodbye to his hometown to work.
告别的时候,她哭了。
Gàobié de shíhòu, tā kūle.
When saying goodbye, she cried.
我们告别了。
Wǒmen gàobié le.
We said goodbye.
他告别朋友。
Tā gàobié péngyou.
He bids farewell to friends.

💡 Memory Tip

Break it down: 告 (gào) means 'to tell' or 'inform,' and 别 (bié) means 'to part' or 'separate.' So, 告别 is literally 'to inform of parting'—telling someone you are leaving. Think of it as formally announcing your departure.

📝 Usage Notes

It is used in both formal and informal contexts, and appears in both spoken and written Chinese. Common contexts include leaving a place (e.g., moving abroad), ending a phase in life (e.g., graduation), or parting from people after a visit or event. It often carries a slightly more formal or emotional tone than casual goodbyes.

📖 Grammar Points

It is a separable verb (离合词). You can say '向他告别' (bid farewell to him) or insert elements like '告了别' (have said goodbye). It is often followed by objects with prepositions like 向 (xiàng) or 跟 (gēn), e.g., '向朋友告别.'

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, 告别 is often associated with rituals or expressions of respect and sentiment, such as farewell banquets or heartfelt speeches. It reflects the value placed on relationships and proper closure when parting, especially for long-term or significant separations.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to 再见 (zàijiàn, 'goodbye,' a common parting phrase), 告别 is more formal and emphasizes the act of bidding farewell itself, often as a deliberate action. 离别 (líbié) is a noun meaning 'separation' or 'parting,' focusing more on the state or fact of being apart, while 告别 is the active verb for the farewell process.

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