break off an engagement; cancel marriage contract
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to break off an engagement; to cancel a marriage contract
formalRefers to the termination of an engagement or betrothal before marriage. Distinct from divorce (离婚), which occurs after marriage. Historically carried significant social stigma, especially for women.
Tā他
men们
yīn因
wèi为
xìng性
gé格
bù不
hé合
ér而
jué决
dìng定
tuì退
hūn婚
。
They decided to break off their engagement due to incompatible personalities.
Nǚ女
fāng方
zhǔ主
dòng动
tí提
chū出
le了
tuì退
hūn婚
。
The bride's side took the initiative to propose calling off the engagement.
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Zài在
jiù旧
shè社
huì会
，
bèi被
tuì退
hūn婚
de的
nǚ女
zǐ子
cháng常
cháng常
miàn面
lín临
qí歧
shì视
。
In traditional society, women who had their engagements broken off often faced discrimination.