Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 分手 | fēnshǒu |
| 分開 / 分开 | fēnkāi |
| 吹 | chuī |
The most common and neutral term for ending a romantic relationship is 分手. To express that you are breaking up with a specific person, use the structure 和 [person] 分手. For a more casual way to say that a breakup has already happened, you can use 分了. Among younger generations, the phrase 搞不下去了 is often used to mean that a relationship cannot go on anymore or cannot continue.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 分手 literally means 'to part hands' or 'to separate hands'.
Which one should you use?
While 分手 specifically refers to the end of a romantic relationship, 分開 or 分开 is a more general term used for any kind of separation or parting ways.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you want to indicate that the breakup has already occurred, you can add the particle 了 after the verb to form 分手了.
How do you pronounce it?
fēnshǒu
Did you know?
- In Chinese social media, people often use the term 单身狗 or 'single dog' to describe their status after a 分手, which is often used with self-deprecating humor rather than as an insult.
- The word 吹 refers to 'blowing' with the mouth and can be used colloquially to describe 'breaking up' or 'ending' things in certain slang contexts.
- In some dialects, particularly in Taiwan, 分開 is used more frequently than 分手 to soften the emotional blow of a breakup by framing it as a general separation.
Examples in context
- 我们分手吧。We should break up.This sentence shows how to suggest a breakup using 分手.Tatoeba #809935 by GlossaMatik, translation #809936 by CM
- 我想和她分手。I mean to break up with her.This sentence demonstrates how to use the structure to say you want to break up with someone using 分手.Tatoeba #13137901 by LeviHighway, translation #12604072 by rul
- 如果我没会错意的话，你是想和我分手。If I've understood you right, you want to break up with me!This sentence illustrates how to confirm a breakup with someone using 分手.Tatoeba #4640134 by olive_wang, translation #4636813 by MatthewChriswood
- 我们分了We broke up.
- 我们搞不下去了We can't continue the relationship.
- 对不起，我觉得我们应该分手了。I'm sorry, I think we should break up.
- 我们搞不下去了，还是分了吧。We can't go on anymore, let's just break up.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A man and a woman are having a serious conversation in a cafe.
- 志强 Zhiqiang晓雯，我们分手吧。Xiǎowén, wǒmen fēnshǒu ba.Xiaowen, let's break up.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen志强，你为什么要这么说？Zhìqiáng, nǐ wèishéme yào zhème shuō?Zhiqiang, why are you saying that?
- 志强 Zhiqiang我觉得我们不适合。Wǒ juédé wǒmen bù shìhé.I feel that we are not compatible.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我真的很难过。Wǒ zhēnde hěn nánguò.I am truly very sad.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “break up” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 吹, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
