别打了
bié dǎ le
The English phrase stop fighting is translated into Chinese as 别打了 (bié dǎ le).
别打了 is a command used to tell people to stop engaging in a physical fight. It is also commonly used to tell people to stop arguing or bickering.
What does it mean word for word?
别打了 is composed of 别 (don't), 打 (hit/fight) and 了 (a particle indicating a change of state or the cessation of an action), which literally translates to "don't hit [it/them/each other] anymore".
Which one should you use?
While 别打了 is used for both physical brawls and verbal arguments, the phrase 别吵了 is specifically an informal way to ask people to stop arguing.
How does it change in a sentence?
Removing the particle 了 from the end of 别打了 changes the command from 'stop fighting (now)' to a general command of 'don't hit' (别打).
How do you pronounce it?
bié dǎ le
Did you know?
- The character 打 used in 别打了 is so versatile that it can also mean 'to call' a phone or 'to type' on a keyboard.
- When telling someone to 'stop fighting' in a very formal or legal context, a speaker would avoid 别打了 and instead use 停止斗争.
- In Chinese cinema, 别打了 is a common trope used by a third party to break up a fight, often accompanied by physically stepping between the combatants.
Examples in context
- 请你们停止争斗吧。现在大家都冷静一下，好好谈一谈解决问题会更好。Please stop fighting. Let's all calm down and have a good discussion to resolve the issue.
- 别吵了，都是自己人。一起和平相处才开心嘛！Stop arguing, we're family after all. It's only when we live in harmony that we can be happy together!
- 别打了，快停下！Bié dǎ le, kuài tíng xià!Stop fighting, stop right now!
- 你们两个别打了。Nǐmen liǎng gè bié dǎ le.You two, stop fighting.
- 别打了，会受伤的。Bié dǎ le, huì shòushāng de.Stop fighting, you will get hurt.
Example conversation
Two brothers are fighting in the living room.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen晓雯：快别打了！Kuài bié dǎ le!Stop fighting quickly!
- 俊杰 Junjie俊杰：是他先动手地。Shì tā xiān dòngshǒu de.He started it first.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen晓雯：我不管，现在就分开。Wǒ bùguǎn, xiànzài jiù fēnkāi.I don't care, separate right now.
- 俊杰 Junjie俊杰：好吧，我不打了。Hǎo ba, wǒ bù dǎ le.Fine, I'll stop fighting.
