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March 24, 2026
告别(告別)gàobié(gao4bie2)
告别 (gàobié) means to bid farewell or say goodbye, typically used in contexts where someone is departing or leaving a place or person. It carries an emotional weight, often implying a sense of finality or significant change in the relationship or situation.
Frequency#4152DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, saying goodbye is often more than just a casual farewell; it can involve rituals or expressions of hope for future reunions, reflecting the importance of relationships and social bonds.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person (represented by the character 告, which means to tell) standing at a train station, waving goodbye (别) as the train departs. The sound 'gao' can remind you of ‘go’ as in leaving, while 'bie' sounds like 'bye', reinforcing the farewell imagery.
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AI Study Notes for 告别
Quick Contrast
告别 (gàobié) vs 离开 (líkāi) — use 告别 for farewells with emotional significance, while 离开 simply means to leave without the same emotional connotation.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person (represented by the character 告, which means to tell) standing at a train station, waving goodbye (别) as the train departs. The sound 'gao' can remind you of ‘go’ as in leaving, while 'bie' sounds like 'bye', reinforcing the farewell imagery.
Usage Notes
Be mindful to use 告别 in more formal or sentimental contexts rather than casual farewells. It's often paired with phrases like '和...告别' (bid farewell to...) and can be used in both written and spoken language. Watch out for tone mistakes, as the wrong tones can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 告别 connects with other vocabulary related to emotions and relationships. Focus on using it in context with phrases about leaving or changes in life, which are common in conversation and literature at this level.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, saying goodbye is often more than just a casual farewell; it can involve rituals or expressions of hope for future reunions, reflecting the importance of relationships and social bonds.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 告别 with 再见 (zàijiàn) and use it in casual contexts, which can sound overly formal. For example, saying '我告别了我的朋友' (I bid farewell to my friend) is correct but may sound too grand for a simple goodbye; '我再见了我的朋友' is more appropriate.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 告别
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Grammar Patterns of 告别
告别 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
At the end of the afternoon I dropped by the West Wing to say good - bye.
Cultural Notes for 告别
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, saying goodbye is often more than just a casual farewell; it can involve rituals or expressions of hope for future reunions, reflecting the importance of relationships and social bonds.
Frequently Asked Questions about 告别
While it's not incorrect, 告别 is generally more formal. For casual goodbyes, you might use 再见 (zàijiàn) instead.
No, it can also refer to leaving places or situations, such as告别家乡 (bidding farewell to one's hometown).
告别 emphasizes the act of saying goodbye with emotional significance, while 离开 is more about the physical act of leaving.
