Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== xiēyè: 歇业 - To Close Down (a business), To Cease Operations ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 歇业, xieye, close down a business in Chinese, stop doing business Chinese, out of business in Chinese, 歇业 vs 倒闭, Chinese business closure, temporarily closed in Chinese, cease operations. * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese term **歇业 (xiēyè)**, which means to **close down a business** or **cease operations**. This page explores whether `歇业` implies a temporary or permanent closure, how it differs from bankruptcy (**倒闭**), and its practical use in modern China. Understand the nuances of **Chinese business closure** through clear examples and cultural context, perfect for anyone learning about business culture in China. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** xiēyè * **Part of Speech:** Verb * **HSK Level:** HSK 6 * **Concise Definition:** To stop doing business; to close down (a business or establishment). * **In a Nutshell:** `歇业` is the act of a business stopping its daily operations. Think of it as a business "taking a rest." This can be a short-term break for renovations or a holiday, or it can be a permanent closure, like when a shop owner retires. It's a neutral, factual term that doesn't automatically imply financial failure. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **歇 (xiē):** This character means "to rest" or "to take a break." It's composed of 欠 (qiàn), which can depict a person exhaling or yawning, and 曷 (hé), which provides the sound. The core idea is stopping an activity to rest. * **业 (yè):** This character means "business," "occupation," "industry," or "trade." It refers to one's work or commercial enterprise. * When combined, **歇业 (xiēyè)** literally means "to rest from business," a straightforward and logical combination that perfectly captures its meaning of ceasing business activities. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * `歇业` holds a specific and often more neutral place in Chinese culture compared to Western equivalents. While "going out of business" in English often carries a strong implication of failure, `歇业` can be a more face-saving (**[[面子]] (miànzi)**) announcement. * **Comparison to "Going Out of Business":** An owner might choose to announce `歇业` when they retire or decide to pursue a different venture. This frames the closure as a deliberate personal choice rather than a business failure. In contrast, announcing bankruptcy or being forced to close is described by the much harsher term **[[倒闭]] (dǎobì)**. Using `歇业` allows the owner and their family to maintain their social standing and avoid the stigma of failure. It reflects a cultural preference for handling difficult situations with subtlety and preserving dignity. This is a crucial distinction for understanding business announcements in China. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * `歇业` is commonly seen in formal and public contexts. It's the word you'll find on a sign taped to a shop's front door or in a local news report about a company. * **Temporary Closure:** It is often used to announce a temporary stop in operations. The reason is usually provided. * //"Closed for renovations"//: 内部装修，**歇业**一个月。 (Nèibù zhuāngxiū, xiēyè yī ge yuè.) - Closed for one month for interior renovation. * //"Closed for the holidays"//: 春节期间，本店**歇业**十天。 (Chūnjié qījiān, běndiàn xiēyè shí tiān.) - Our shop will be closed for ten days during the Spring Festival. * **Permanent Closure:** When no time frame or reason like renovation is given, `歇业` often implies a permanent closure. However, it's still a softer, more neutral term than explicitly stating bankruptcy. * //"That old bookstore has closed down."//: 那家旧书店已经**歇业**了。(Nà jiā jiù shūdiàn yǐjīng xiēyè le.) * **Formality:** `歇业` is more formal than the colloquial term **[[关门]] (guānmén)**, which literally means "to close the door." While `关门` can also mean a business has shut down for good, `歇业` is the preferred term for official signs and announcements. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 由于老板身体不好，这家餐厅下个月就要**歇业**了。 * Pinyin: Yóuyú lǎobǎn shēntǐ bù hǎo, zhè jiā cāntīng xià ge yuè jiù yào xiēyè le. * English: Because the owner is in poor health, this restaurant will be closing down next month. * Analysis: This shows a common, neutral reason for permanent closure. It's a personal decision, not a financial failure. * **Example 2:** * 春节假期，大部分商店都会**歇业**几天。 * Pinyin: Chūnjié jiàqī, dàbùfen shāngdiàn dōu huì xiēyè jǐ tiān. * English: During the Spring Festival holiday, most shops will close for a few days. * Analysis: A clear example of `歇业` being used for a temporary, predictable closure. * **Example 3:** * 我们的工厂因为要升级设备，需要**歇业**整顿。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen de gōngchǎng yīnwèi yào shēngjí shèbèi, xūyào xiēyè zhěngdùn. * English: Our factory needs to cease operations for reorganization because we are upgrading the equipment. * Analysis: `歇业整顿 (xiēyè zhěngdùn)` is a common phrase meaning "to stop business to reorganize/refurbish." This is a formal, planned temporary shutdown. * **Example 4:** * 疫情期间，许多旅游公司都不得不暂时**歇业**。 * Pinyin: Yìqíng qījiān, xǔduō lǚyóu gōngsī dōu bùdébù zànshí xiēyè. * English: During the pandemic, many travel agencies had to temporarily cease operations. * Analysis: Here, `暂时 (zànshí)`, meaning "temporarily," is added to remove any ambiguity. * **Example 5:** * 他辛苦了一辈子，终于决定**歇业**享受退休生活了。 * Pinyin: Tā xīnkǔ le yībèizi, zhōngyú juédìng xiēyè xiǎngshòu tuìxiū shēnghuó le. * English: He worked hard his whole life and has finally decided to close his business and enjoy retirement. * Analysis: This highlights the positive connotation `歇业` can have, framing it as a well-deserved end to a career. * **Example 6:** * 听说街角那家咖啡店**歇业**了，真可惜。 * Pinyin: Tīngshuō jiējiǎo nà jiā kāfēi diàn xiēyè le, zhēn kěxī. * English: I heard the corner coffee shop closed down. What a pity. * Analysis: A common conversational use. The context implies a permanent closure, and the speaker is expressing regret. * **Example 7:** * 政府公告：所有娱乐场所**歇业**三天进行安全检查。 * Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ gōnggào: suǒyǒu yúlè chǎngsuǒ xiēyè sān tiān jìnxíng ānquán jiǎnchá. * English: Government notice: All entertainment venues are to cease operations for three days for safety inspections. * Analysis: This demonstrates a mandatory, temporary closure ordered by an authority. `停业 (tíngyè)` could also be used here. * **Example 8:** * 这家百年老店的**歇业**让许多老顾客感到不舍。 * Pinyin: Zhè jiā bǎinián lǎodiàn de xiēyè ràng xǔduō lǎo gùkè gǎndào bùshě. * English: The closure of this century-old shop made many old customers feel sad to part with it. * Analysis: Here, `歇业` is used as a noun ("the closure") showing its versatility. * **Example 9:** * 他们只是**歇业**，不是倒闭，以后可能会重新开业。 * Pinyin: Tāmen zhǐshì xiēyè, bùshì dǎobì, yǐhòu kěnéng huì chóngxīn kāiyè. * English: They just ceased operations, they didn't go bankrupt; they might reopen in the future. * Analysis: This sentence directly contrasts `歇业` with `倒闭 (dǎobì)`, highlighting the key nuance. * **Example 10:** * 由于城市规划，这片区域的商铺都将**歇业**搬迁。 * Pinyin: Yóuyú chéngshì guīhuà, zhè piàn qūyù de shāngpù dōu jiāng xiēyè bānqiān. * English: Due to urban planning, the shops in this area will all close down and relocate. * Analysis: Another example of a planned, neutral closure for external reasons beyond the business's control. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **`歇业 (xiēyè)` vs. `倒闭 (dǎobì)`:** This is the most crucial distinction. * `歇业` is the neutral act of stopping business. It can be temporary or permanent, voluntary or involuntary. * `倒闭 (dǎobì)` specifically means "to go bankrupt" or "to collapse" due to financial failure. It is always permanent and highly negative. * **Mistake:** Saying a shop `倒闭` for renovations is wrong. They are temporarily `歇业`. * **`歇业 (xiēyè)` vs. `关门 (guānmén)`:** * `关门` literally means "to close the door." It can mean closing for the day (e.g., 我们晚上九点关门 - We close at 9 PM). In slang, it can also mean to go out of business permanently. * `歇业` is more formal and official. You'd see `歇业` on a sign, but you might tell a friend "那家店关门了" (That shop closed down). * **`歇业` does not apply to people:** You cannot use `歇业` to say you are done with work for the day. * **Incorrect:** 我今天太累了，我要**歇业**了。 (Wǒ jīntiān tài lèi le, wǒ yào xiēyè le.) * **Correct:** 我今天太累了，我要**休息**了。 (Wǒ jīntiān tài lèi le, wǒ yào xiūxī le.) (`休息 (xiūxi)` means "to rest"). ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * `[[倒闭]] (dǎobì)` - To go bankrupt; to collapse financially. A much stronger and more negative outcome than simply `歇业`. * `[[关门]] (guānmén)` - To close the door. A more colloquial term that can mean closing for the day or going out of business. * `[[停业]] (tíngyè)` - To suspend business. Very similar to `歇业`, often used for temporary closures, especially when ordered by an authority. * `[[开业]] (kāiyè)` - Antonym. To open a business; to start operations. * `[[营业]] (yíngyè)` - Antonym. To be in business; to be open. "正在营业" (zhèngzài yíngyè) means "Now Open." * `[[破产]] (pòchǎn)` - To go bankrupt. A formal, legal term for bankruptcy. Even stronger than `倒闭`. * `[[转让]] (zhuǎnràng)` - To transfer ownership of a business. A business might `歇业` before being put up for `转让`. * `[[装修]] (zhuāngxiū)` - To renovate or redecorate. A very common reason for a temporary `歇业`. * `[[停产]] (tíngchǎn)` - To stop production. Used specifically for factories and manufacturing, whereas `歇业` can apply to any business.