告辞
Traditional: 告辭
gào cí HSK 6

English Meaning

Categories

📚 Example Sentences

时间不早了,我先告辞了。
Shíjiān bù zǎo le, wǒ xiān gàocí le.
It's getting late, I'll take my leave first.
他匆匆告辞,赶去开会。
Tā cōngcōng gàocí, gǎn qù kāihuì.
He hurriedly said farewell and rushed to the meeting.
聚会结束后,大家纷纷告辞。
Jùhuì jiéshù hòu, dàjiā fēnfēn gàocí.
After the gathering ended, everyone said their farewells one after another.
我告辞了。
Wǒ gàocí le.
I am taking my leave.
他告辞回家。
Tā gàocí huíjiā.
He bid farewell and went home.

💡 Memory Tip

Break it down: 告 (gào) means 'to tell' and 辞 (cí) means 'words' or 'diction'—so it's like 'telling your words of departure.' Think of formally announcing your exit.

📝 Usage Notes

It is used in formal or semi-formal contexts, both spoken and written, often in situations like leaving a workplace, ending a business meeting, or departing from an elder's home. It is less common in casual settings among close friends.

📖 Grammar Points

Often used with adverbs like 先 (xiān, 'first') or 就 (jiù, 'then') to indicate timing, e.g., '我先告辞了.' It typically appears at the end of a sentence or as a standalone phrase.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, using 告辞 shows respect and good manners, especially when leaving elders or superiors. It reflects the value of propriety in social interactions.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to 再见 (zàijiàn, a general 'goodbye'), 告辞 is more formal and emphasizes the act of announcing departure. 离开 (líkāi) means 'to leave' neutrally without the polite connotation.

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