dǎduàn: 打断 - To Interrupt, To Break

• Keywords: dǎduàn, 打断, interrupt in Chinese, how to say interrupt, break, cut off, Chinese word for break, dǎ duàn meaning, Chinese communication etiquette, HSK 4 vocabulary
• Summary: The Chinese verb 打断 (dǎduàn) is a powerful and common word that literally means “to strike and break,” used for both physical objects and abstract concepts. For learners, its most crucial meaning is “to interrupt” a conversation, action, or thought process. Understanding when and how to use dǎduàn is key to navigating Chinese social etiquette, as interrupting can be seen as particularly disrespectful. This page explores its literal and figurative meanings, cultural significance, and practical usage in modern China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dǎduàn
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To interrupt a process or action; to break something into two or more pieces.
• In a Nutshell: Think of dǎduàn as an action that causes a sudden break. This can be very literal, like snapping a stick in half by hitting it. More often, it's figurative, like “breaking” into a conversation, “breaking” someone's concentration, or “breaking” the flow of an event. The core idea is a forceful halt to something that was in progress.

• 打 (dǎ): This character's original form shows a hand (手) holding a stick or nail (丁). Its fundamental meaning is “to hit,” “to strike,” or “to beat.” It is one of the most versatile action verbs in Mandarin, appearing in hundreds of words related to actions performed by hand.
• 断 (duàn): This character is a combination of 幺 (yāo), representing silk threads, and 斤 (jīn), an axe. The image is of an axe cutting through threads, giving it the core meaning of “to break,” “to sever,” or “to cut off.”

Together, 打断 (dǎduàn) forms a resultative verb compound. The action is 打 (to strike) and the result is 断 (broken/severed). This creates a vivid picture: “to strike until something breaks.” This applies perfectly to both breaking a branch and breaking the flow of a conversation.

In Chinese culture, which often prioritizes social harmony (和谐, héxié) and respect for hierarchy, the act of interrupting carries significant weight. To 打断 (dǎduàn) someone, especially an elder, a superior, or a teacher, is generally considered much ruder than in many Western cultures.

• Comparison with Western Norms: In some American or European contexts, interjecting in a conversation can be a sign of active listening, enthusiasm, or a desire to contribute collaboratively. In China, this can be perceived as impatient, arrogant, and disrespectful. It implies that what you have to say is more important than what the current speaker is saying, causing them to lose “face” (面子, miànzi).
• The Value of Listening: The traditional expectation is to listen patiently until the other person has finished their point completely. This demonstrates respect and attentiveness. Therefore, the word dǎduàn itself has a strong negative connotation in social contexts. When it's necessary to interrupt, it is almost always prefaced with a sincere apology, like “不好意思，打断一下” (Excuse me, sorry to interrupt).

The use of dǎduàn can be split into two main categories: social interruption and physical breaking.

• Interrupting Speech or Thought (Most Common): This is the most frequent usage for learners. It's used when you cut someone off while they're talking, or when an external event disrupts a meeting or conversation.
  • Connotation: Almost always negative or requires an apology.
  • Formality: Used in both formal and informal settings.
• Interrupting an Action or Process: This extends beyond just speech to any ongoing activity. A phone call can dǎduàn your work, or rain can dǎduàn a baseball game.
  • Connotation: Neutral to negative, depending on the context.
  • Formality: Used in both formal and informal settings.
• Physical Breaking: This is the literal meaning of the word. It's used when a forceful action causes an object to snap or break.
  • Connotation: Neutral. It simply describes a physical event.
  • Example Objects: Bones (骨头), sticks (棍子), legs (腿).

• Example 1:
  • 对不起，打断一下，请问洗手间在哪里？
  • Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ, dǎduàn yíxià, qǐngwèn xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ?
  • English: Sorry to interrupt, but could you please tell me where the restroom is?
  • Analysis: This is the most important pattern for learners. Using “对不起 (duìbuqǐ)” or “不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi)” before dǎduàn yíxià is the standard polite formula for interrupting someone.
• Example 2:
  • 他正在发言，你不要去打断他。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhèngzài fāyán, nǐ búyào qù dǎduàn tā.
  • English: He's giving a speech right now, don't go and interrupt him.
  • Analysis: This is a direct command, highlighting the negative social implication of interrupting someone during a formal act like speaking.
• Example 3:
  • 一个突然的电话打断了我的思路。
  • Pinyin: Yí ge tūrán de diànhuà dǎduàn le wǒ de sīlù.
  • English: A sudden phone call interrupted my train of thought.
  • Analysis: Here, dǎduàn is used for an abstract concept: “思路” (sīlù) or train of thought. The phone call is the agent that “breaks” the thinking process.
• Example 4:
  • 由于大雨，比赛被迫打断了。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú dàyǔ, bǐsài bèi pò dǎduàn le.
  • English: Due to the heavy rain, the match was forced to be interrupted.
  • Analysis: This shows dǎduàn being used for an event (a match). The passive voice with “被 (bèi)” is common here, as the match is the recipient of the interrupting action.
• Example 5:
  • 他生气地把那根棍子打断了。
  • Pinyin: Tā shēngqì de bǎ nà gēn gùnzi dǎduàn le.
  • English: He angrily broke that stick.
  • Analysis: This is the literal, physical meaning. The “把 (bǎ)” construction is often used to show the disposal or effect on an object—in this case, the stick being broken.
• Example 6:
  • 医生说他的腿被打断了。
  • Pinyin: Yīshēng shuō tā de tuǐ bèi dǎduàn le.
  • English: The doctor said his leg was broken.
  • Analysis: Another literal example, referring to a broken bone. Again, the passive voice “被 (bèi)” is used to show what happened to his leg.
• Example 7:
  • 我刚才说到哪儿了？哦，被你打断了，我都忘了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ gāngcái shuō dào nǎr le? Ō, bèi nǐ dǎduàn le, wǒ dōu wàng le.
  • English: Where was I just now? Oh, you interrupted me, and now I've completely forgotten.
  • Analysis: A common, slightly complaining phrase used in informal conversation when someone has lost their train of thought due to an interruption.
• Example 8:
  • 我们的会议被一次火警演习打断了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de huìyì bèi yí cì huǒjǐng yǎnxí dǎduàn le.
  • English: Our meeting was interrupted by a fire drill.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates how a formal process (a meeting) can be interrupted by an external event.
• Example 9:
  • 别打断我，让我把话说完。
  • Pinyin: Bié dǎduàn wǒ, ràng wǒ bǎ huà shuō wán.
  • English: Don't interrupt me, let me finish what I'm saying.
  • Analysis: A forceful and direct command, often used in arguments or when someone is frustrated with being cut off.
• Example 10:
  • 孩子的哭声打断了深夜的寂静。
  • Pinyin: Háizi de kūshēng dǎduàn le shēnyè de jìjìng.
  • English: The child's crying broke the silence of the deep night.
  • Analysis: A more poetic or literary use. Here, an abstract concept, “寂静” (jìjìng, silence/tranquility), is “broken” by a sound.

• Mistake 1: Interrupting Too Casually.

A beginner might think dǎduàn is a neutral equivalent of “to interrupt.” It is not. It carries a sense of forcefulness.

• Incorrect: (Seeing your teacher talking to another student, you walk up and say) 老师，打断！(Teacher, interrupt!)
• Correct: 老师，不好意思，打断一下。您有时间吗？(Teacher, excuse me for interrupting. Do you have a moment?)
• Reason: Always soften the interruption with a phrase of apology.
• `打断 (dǎduàn)` vs. `插嘴 (chāzuǐ)`:

These words are similar but not interchangeable.

• 打断 (dǎduàn): A broad term for interrupting any process (speech, thought, an event, a physical object). It's about stopping the flow.
• 插嘴 (chāzuǐ): Literally “to insert mouth.” It specifically means to interject or butt into a conversation you weren't originally part of. It often carries the connotation of being nosy or unwelcome. You can dǎduàn a meeting, but you can only chāzuǐ in a conversation.
• `打断 (dǎduàn)` vs. `中断 (zhōngduàn)`:
• dǎduàn implies an external agent actively breaking something. It's often sudden.
• zhōngduàn means “to suspend” or “to discontinue.” It's more formal and often used for services or processes stopping, sometimes without an external agent. For example, 电力中断了 (The power supply was cut off) vs. 他的演讲被打断了 (His speech was interrupted by someone/something).

• 插嘴 (chāzuǐ): To interject, to butt in. More specific than dǎduàn, referring only to speech.
• 中断 (zhōngduàn): To suspend, discontinue. A more formal term, often used for services, supplies, or relations.
• 干扰 (gānrǎo): To disturb, interfere with. This is about creating a disturbance that makes something difficult to continue (e.g., noise), not necessarily stopping it completely.
• 妨碍 (fáng'ài): To hinder, to obstruct. Implies creating an obstacle that slows down or impedes progress.
• 停止 (tíngzhǐ): To stop. The most general and neutral word for ceasing an action. dǎduàn is a way to cause something to stop.
• 继续 (jìxù): To continue. The direct antonym of stopping or being interrupted.
• 折断 (zhéduàn): To snap something by bending it (e.g., a pencil). It is a more specific way to physically break an object, whereas dǎduàn implies breaking by striking.
• 礼貌 (lǐmào): Politeness, manners. A core cultural concept that explains why one should avoid dǎduàn others.