流放
The English phrase "exile" is translated into Mandarin as 流放.
流放 can be used as both a noun, referring to the state of being exiled and a verb, referring to the act of exiling someone.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 流 (liú), meaning to flow or drift and 放 (fàng), meaning to release or let go.
Which one should you use?
While it can refer to political exile, 流放 is more commonly used in a historical or legal context to describe the punishment of being sent away from one's home or country.
Did you know?
- While 流放 is the legal term for exile, Chinese literature often uses the poetic term 谪宦 to describe the 'demotion' of an official to a remote outpost, framing exile as being 'banished' from heaven.
- The character 放 in 流放 can also mean 'to graze animals', reflecting a historical connection between being cast out of the city and the rural life of a herdsman.
- During certain dynasties, the destination of 流放 was determined by the crime's severity, with the furthest borders of the empire serving as the harshest 'sentences'.
Examples in context
- 那位知名异见人士离狱后被迫流亡国外。After his release from prison, the prominent dissident was forced into exile in a foreign country.
- 他被流放到了荒岛上。Tā bèi liúfàng dào le huāngdǎo shàng.He was exiled to a deserted island.
- 那部电影讲述了流放的故事。Nà bù diànyǐng jiǎngshù le liúfàng de gùshì.That movie tells a story of exile.
- 皇帝下令流放那名官员。Huángdì xiàlìng liúfàng nà míng guānyuán.The emperor ordered the exile of that official.
Example conversation
Xinyi and Wei are discussing a history book.
- 伟 Wei这本书讲的是关于流放的故事吗？Zhè běn shū jiǎng de shì guānyú liúfàng de gùshì ma?Is this book about a story of exile?
- 欣怡 Xinyi是的，主人公被流放了十年。Shì de, zhǔréngōng bèi liúfàngle shí nián.Yes, the protagonist was exiled for ten years.
- 伟 Wei他最后能回国吗？Tā zuìhòu néng huíguó ma?Was he able to return to his country in the end?
- 欣怡 Xinyi我想，你读完就知道了。Wǒ xiǎng, nǐ dú wán jiù zhīdàole.I think you'll know once you finish reading it.
