歇业

xiēyè: 歇业 - To Close Down (a business), To Cease Operations

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: 歇业, xieye, close down a business in Chinese, stop doing business Chinese, out of business in Chinese, 歇业 vs 倒闭, Chinese business closure, temporarily closed in Chinese, cease operations.
  • Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term 歇业 (xiēyè), which means to close down a business or cease operations. This page explores whether `歇业` implies a temporary or permanent closure, how it differs from bankruptcy (倒闭), and its practical use in modern China. Understand the nuances of Chinese business closure through clear examples and cultural context, perfect for anyone learning about business culture in China.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): xiēyè
  • Part of Speech: Verb
  • HSK Level: HSK 6
  • Concise Definition: To stop doing business; to close down (a business or establishment).
  • In a Nutshell: `歇业` is the act of a business stopping its daily operations. Think of it as a business “taking a rest.” This can be a short-term break for renovations or a holiday, or it can be a permanent closure, like when a shop owner retires. It's a neutral, factual term that doesn't automatically imply financial failure.

Character Breakdown

  • 歇 (xiē): This character means “to rest” or “to take a break.” It's composed of 欠 (qiàn), which can depict a person exhaling or yawning, and 曷 (hé), which provides the sound. The core idea is stopping an activity to rest.
  • 业 (yè): This character means “business,” “occupation,” “industry,” or “trade.” It refers to one's work or commercial enterprise.
  • When combined, 歇业 (xiēyè) literally means “to rest from business,” a straightforward and logical combination that perfectly captures its meaning of ceasing business activities.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • `歇业` holds a specific and often more neutral place in Chinese culture compared to Western equivalents. While “going out of business” in English often carries a strong implication of failure, `歇业` can be a more face-saving (面子 (miànzi)) announcement.
  • Comparison to “Going Out of Business”: An owner might choose to announce `歇业` when they retire or decide to pursue a different venture. This frames the closure as a deliberate personal choice rather than a business failure. In contrast, announcing bankruptcy or being forced to close is described by the much harsher term 倒闭 (dǎobì). Using `歇业` allows the owner and their family to maintain their social standing and avoid the stigma of failure. It reflects a cultural preference for handling difficult situations with subtlety and preserving dignity. This is a crucial distinction for understanding business announcements in China.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • `歇业` is commonly seen in formal and public contexts. It's the word you'll find on a sign taped to a shop's front door or in a local news report about a company.
  • Temporary Closure: It is often used to announce a temporary stop in operations. The reason is usually provided.
    • “Closed for renovations”: 内部装修，歇业一个月。 (Nèibù zhuāngxiū, xiēyè yī ge yuè.) - Closed for one month for interior renovation.
    • “Closed for the holidays”: 春节期间，本店歇业十天。 (Chūnjié qījiān, běndiàn xiēyè shí tiān.) - Our shop will be closed for ten days during the Spring Festival.
  • Permanent Closure: When no time frame or reason like renovation is given, `歇业` often implies a permanent closure. However, it's still a softer, more neutral term than explicitly stating bankruptcy.
    • “That old bookstore has closed down.”: 那家旧书店已经歇业了。(Nà jiā jiù shūdiàn yǐjīng xiēyè le.)
  • Formality: `歇业` is more formal than the colloquial term 关门 (guānmén), which literally means “to close the door.” While `关门` can also mean a business has shut down for good, `歇业` is the preferred term for official signs and announcements.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 由于老板身体不好，这家餐厅下个月就要歇业了。
    • Pinyin: Yóuyú lǎobǎn shēntǐ bù hǎo, zhè jiā cāntīng xià ge yuè jiù yào xiēyè le.
    • English: Because the owner is in poor health, this restaurant will be closing down next month.
    • Analysis: This shows a common, neutral reason for permanent closure. It's a personal decision, not a financial failure.
  • Example 2:
    • 春节假期，大部分商店都会歇业几天。
    • Pinyin: Chūnjié jiàqī, dàbùfen shāngdiàn dōu huì xiēyè jǐ tiān.
    • English: During the Spring Festival holiday, most shops will close for a few days.
    • Analysis: A clear example of `歇业` being used for a temporary, predictable closure.
  • Example 3:
    • 我们的工厂因为要升级设备，需要歇业整顿。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen de gōngchǎng yīnwèi yào shēngjí shèbèi, xūyào xiēyè zhěngdùn.
    • English: Our factory needs to cease operations for reorganization because we are upgrading the equipment.
    • Analysis: `歇业整顿 (xiēyè zhěngdùn)` is a common phrase meaning “to stop business to reorganize/refurbish.” This is a formal, planned temporary shutdown.
  • Example 4:
    • 疫情期间，许多旅游公司都不得不暂时歇业。
    • Pinyin: Yìqíng qījiān, xǔduō lǚyóu gōngsī dōu bùdébù zànshí xiēyè.
    • English: During the pandemic, many travel agencies had to temporarily cease operations.
    • Analysis: Here, `暂时 (zànshí)`, meaning “temporarily,” is added to remove any ambiguity.
  • Example 5:
    • 他辛苦了一辈子，终于决定歇业享受退休生活了。
    • Pinyin: Tā xīnkǔ le yībèizi, zhōngyú juédìng xiēyè xiǎngshòu tuìxiū shēnghuó le.
    • English: He worked hard his whole life and has finally decided to close his business and enjoy retirement.
    • Analysis: This highlights the positive connotation `歇业` can have, framing it as a well-deserved end to a career.
  • Example 6:
    • 听说街角那家咖啡店歇业了，真可惜。
    • Pinyin: Tīngshuō jiējiǎo nà jiā kāfēi diàn xiēyè le, zhēn kěxī.
    • English: I heard the corner coffee shop closed down. What a pity.
    • Analysis: A common conversational use. The context implies a permanent closure, and the speaker is expressing regret.
  • Example 7:
    • 政府公告：所有娱乐场所歇业三天进行安全检查。
    • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ gōnggào: suǒyǒu yúlè chǎngsuǒ xiēyè sān tiān jìnxíng ānquán jiǎnchá.
    • English: Government notice: All entertainment venues are to cease operations for three days for safety inspections.
    • Analysis: This demonstrates a mandatory, temporary closure ordered by an authority. `停业 (tíngyè)` could also be used here.
  • Example 8:
    • 这家百年老店的歇业让许多老顾客感到不舍。
    • Pinyin: Zhè jiā bǎinián lǎodiàn de xiēyè ràng xǔduō lǎo gùkè gǎndào bùshě.
    • English: The closure of this century-old shop made many old customers feel sad to part with it.
    • Analysis: Here, `歇业` is used as a noun (“the closure”) showing its versatility.
  • Example 9:
    • 他们只是歇业，不是倒闭，以后可能会重新开业。
    • Pinyin: Tāmen zhǐshì xiēyè, bùshì dǎobì, yǐhòu kěnéng huì chóngxīn kāiyè.
    • English: They just ceased operations, they didn't go bankrupt; they might reopen in the future.
    • Analysis: This sentence directly contrasts `歇业` with `倒闭 (dǎobì)`, highlighting the key nuance.
  • Example 10:
    • 由于城市规划，这片区域的商铺都将歇业搬迁。
    • Pinyin: Yóuyú chéngshì guīhuà, zhè piàn qūyù de shāngpù dōu jiāng xiēyè bānqiān.
    • English: Due to urban planning, the shops in this area will all close down and relocate.
    • Analysis: Another example of a planned, neutral closure for external reasons beyond the business's control.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • `歇业 (xiēyè)` vs. `倒闭 (dǎobì)`: This is the most crucial distinction.
    • `歇业` is the neutral act of stopping business. It can be temporary or permanent, voluntary or involuntary.
    • `倒闭 (dǎobì)` specifically means “to go bankrupt” or “to collapse” due to financial failure. It is always permanent and highly negative.
    • Mistake: Saying a shop `倒闭` for renovations is wrong. They are temporarily `歇业`.
  • `歇业 (xiēyè)` vs. `关门 (guānmén)`:
    • `关门` literally means “to close the door.” It can mean closing for the day (e.g., 我们晚上九点关门 - We close at 9 PM). In slang, it can also mean to go out of business permanently.
    • `歇业` is more formal and official. You'd see `歇业` on a sign, but you might tell a friend “那家店关门了” (That shop closed down).
  • `歇业` does not apply to people: You cannot use `歇业` to say you are done with work for the day.
    • Incorrect: 我今天太累了，我要歇业了。 (Wǒ jīntiān tài lèi le, wǒ yào xiēyè le.)
    • Correct: 我今天太累了，我要休息了。 (Wǒ jīntiān tài lèi le, wǒ yào xiūxī le.) (`休息 (xiūxi)` means “to rest”).

Related Terms and Concepts

  • `倒闭 (dǎobì)` - To go bankrupt; to collapse financially. A much stronger and more negative outcome than simply `歇业`.
  • `关门 (guānmén)` - To close the door. A more colloquial term that can mean closing for the day or going out of business.
  • `停业 (tíngyè)` - To suspend business. Very similar to `歇业`, often used for temporary closures, especially when ordered by an authority.
  • `开业 (kāiyè)` - Antonym. To open a business; to start operations.
  • `营业 (yíngyè)` - Antonym. To be in business; to be open. “正在营业” (zhèngzài yíngyè) means “Now Open.”
  • `破产 (pòchǎn)` - To go bankrupt. A formal, legal term for bankruptcy. Even stronger than `倒闭`.
  • `转让 (zhuǎnràng)` - To transfer ownership of a business. A business might `歇业` before being put up for `转让`.
  • `装修 (zhuāngxiū)` - To renovate or redecorate. A very common reason for a temporary `歇业`.
  • `停产 (tíngchǎn)` - To stop production. Used specifically for factories and manufacturing, whereas `歇业` can apply to any business.