xiēyè: 歇业 - To Close Down (a business), To Cease Operations

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.

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.

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.

`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.

`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.

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.

`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.