Guide on How to Say “Turn Off” in Chinese

In Chinese, knowing how to say “turn off” can be incredibly useful in various situations. Whether you’re traveling, learning the language, or simply curious, this guide will provide you with formal and informal ways to express “turn off” in Mandarin Chinese. While regional variations exist, we will primarily focus on Standard Mandarin, the official language of China and Taiwan.

Formal Ways to Say “Turn Off”

If you need to use the more polite or formal expressions for “turning off” in Chinese, consider the phrases below:

1. 关闭 (guān bì)

This term is the most common and neutral way to say “turn off” in Chinese. It can be used in various contexts such as turning off lights, electronics, or appliances. For example:

请关闭灯光。(Qǐng guānbì dēngguāng.)
Translation: Please turn off the lights.

切断 (qiē duàn)

This phrase implies completely cutting off the power or disconnecting something. It is often used when referring to shutting down devices and machinery. For instance:

请切断电源。(Qǐng qiēduàn diànyuán.)
Translation: Please turn off the power.

停止 (tíng zhǐ)

When you want to express the idea of stopping or ceasing an action, you can use this term. It can refer to turning off not only devices but also other activities. For example:

请停止播放。(Qǐng tíngzhǐ bōfàng.)
Translation: Please stop playing.

Informal Ways to Say “Turn Off”

If you are in a more casual setting or speaking with friends, you can use less formal expressions to say “turn off” in Chinese:

1. 关掉 (guān diào)

This phrase is similar to “关闭” but has a more conversational tone. It is commonly used when talking about turning off household appliances and electronics. For example:

关掉电视。(Guān diào diànshì.)
Translation: Turn off the TV.

关了 (guān le)

When you want to use a shortened form, “关了” is a more colloquial way to express “turn off.” This term is versatile and suitable for daily conversations:

关了空调。(Guān le kōngtiáo.)
Translation: Turn off the air conditioner.

关上 (guān shàng)

This phrase can be used to imply “closing” something, but it is also commonly used to mean “turning off.” Typically, it is used for objects such as doors, windows, or vehicle engines:

关上窗户。(Guān shàng chuānghù.)
Translation: Close the window.

Additional Tips for Using “Turn Off” in Chinese

1. Gesture: When telling someone to “turn off” an object, use your hand to mimic a switch or button being pressed. This visual cue helps convey your message more clearly.

2. Communicating with Technicians: If you are seeking professional assistance, it is helpful to describe the technical issue and follow it with a request to fix or turn off the malfunctioning device. This aids in effective communication.

3. Contextual Clues: To avoid confusion, ensure your request is clear and provide context. State what exactly should be turned off and specify whether it is electricity, power, the device itself, or a specific function.

Remember, using the appropriate polite or informal expression in Chinese can help you sound more natural and build stronger connections with native speakers.

While these phrases cover the most common ways to say “turn off” in Chinese, it’s essential to be flexible and adapt to regional variations or dialects when conversing in different parts of China or Taiwan. However, the phrases discussed in this guide will generally be understood by Chinese speakers across various regions.

Now that you have learned various expressions for “turn off” in Chinese, practice them in everyday conversations or situations. Embrace your language learning journey and enjoy the cultural experiences that come with it!