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March 24, 2026
破产(破產)pòchǎn(po4chan3)
破产 (pòchǎn) means to go bankrupt or to become impoverished, typically referring to an individual's or a business's financial failure. It is commonly used in economic discussions and can also apply to situations where someone is unable to meet financial obligations. The term carries a negative connotation and implies a loss of wealth or status.
Frequency#3863DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In China, the concept of bankruptcy has gained more visibility in recent years as economic reforms have progressed, leading to more cases of corporate bankruptcy. This reflects the changing landscape of business in modern China, where failure can sometimes lead to new opportunities.
Memory Tip
Imagine a pot (锅) breaking (破) and all the money (钱) spilling out, symbolizing financial ruin. The sound 'po' in 破 (broken) connects to the idea of something shattered, while 'chan' hints at 'chan'ging from rich to poor.
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AI Study Notes for 破产
Quick Contrast
破产 (pòchǎn) vs 倒闭 (dǎobì) — use 破产 for personal or business bankruptcy, while 倒闭 specifically refers to the closure of a business.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a pot (锅) breaking (破) and all the money (钱) spilling out, symbolizing financial ruin. The sound 'po' in 破 (broken) connects to the idea of something shattered, while 'chan' hints at 'chan'ging from rich to poor.
Usage Notes
Be careful to use 破产 in contexts specifically related to financial bankruptcy, as it may not apply to non-financial failures. This term is generally considered formal, so avoid using it in casual conversations. Common collocations include 破产的公司 (bankrupt company) and 破产申请 (bankruptcy application).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 破产 connects with other financial vocabulary like 财务 (cáiwù - finance) and 经济 (jīngjì - economy), which are essential for discussing economic topics in Mandarin. Focus on practicing sentences that involve financial situations to reinforce understanding.
Cultural Note
In China, the concept of bankruptcy has gained more visibility in recent years as economic reforms have progressed, leading to more cases of corporate bankruptcy. This reflects the changing landscape of business in modern China, where failure can sometimes lead to new opportunities.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 破产 with 失败 (shībài - failure), which is broader and not limited to financial contexts. For instance, saying '我破产了因为我没有通过考试' (I went bankrupt because I didn't pass the exam) is incorrect; instead, use '我失败了' (I failed).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 破产
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Grammar Patterns of 破产
破产 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
我____了，莉薇，而且我欠了几百万美元的债。
I'm broke, Livy, and I owe a couple of million dollars.
Example Sentences for 破产 (10)
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1
我破产了，莉薇，而且我欠了几百万美元的债。
wǒ pò chǎn le， ， lì， wēi ， ér qiě wǒ qiàn le jī bǎi wàn měi yuán。
I'm broke, Livy, and I owe a couple of million dollars.
After the war, The House of Hardie came near to bankruptcy.
10
由于无力偿还1.14亿英镑的贷款担保，他被宣布破产。
yóu yú wú lì cháng huán1.14 1.14 yì yīng bàng de dài kuǎn dān， bǎo ， tā bèi xuān bù。
He was declared bankrupt after failing to pay a £114m loan guarantee.
Cultural Notes for 破产
🏮Cultural insight
In China, the concept of bankruptcy has gained more visibility in recent years as economic reforms have progressed, leading to more cases of corporate bankruptcy. This reflects the changing landscape of business in modern China, where failure can sometimes lead to new opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions about 破产
No, 破产 can refer to both individuals and businesses that experience financial failure.
Consequences may include losing assets, facing legal issues, and affecting credit ratings.
While primarily financial, it can be used metaphorically to describe failure in non-financial contexts, though this is less common.
