duàn
断后
cut off; judge; intercept
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesverb
to have no descendants to continue the family line
formalA formal, often negative term describing the end of a family line. Commonly used in historical or critical contexts.
Zài在
gǔ古
dài代
，
wú无
zǐ子
bèi被
rèn认
wéi为
shì是
duàn断
hòu后
de的
dà大
shì事
。
In ancient times, having no sons was considered a grave matter of ending the family line.
Zhè这
ge个
jiā家
zú族
yīn因
zhàn战
luàn乱
ér而
duàn断
hòu后
le了
。
This family line ended due to the chaos of war.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Tā他
yī一
zhí直
dān担
xīn心
zì自
jǐ己
huì会
duàn断
hòu后
。
He has always worried about having no descendants.
verb
(military) to cover the rear; to act as rearguard during a retreat
technicalA specific military term. '后' here refers to the rear of the army.
Zhǔ主
lì力
bù部
duì队
chè撤
tuì退
shí时
，
xū需
yào要
yī一
zhī支
bù部
duì队
liú留
xià下
duàn断
hòu后
。
When the main force retreats, a unit needs to stay behind to cover the rear.
Tā他
fèng奉
mìng命
shuài率
lǐng领
qí骑
bīng兵
duàn断
hòu后
，
zǔ阻
jī击
zhuī追
bīng兵
。
He was ordered to lead the cavalry to cover the rear and block the pursuing troops.