In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe ending any phone or video call.
- Combines 'hang' with 'electric speech' (phone).
- Can be used neutrally or to describe hanging up on someone.
Meaning
This phrase literally means to 'hang up the phone.' It is the standard way to describe ending a call, whether you are using a smartphone or an old-fashioned landline.
Key Examples
3 of 6Ending a casual chat with a friend
我不说了，先挂电话了。
I'll stop talking now, I'm hanging up.
A busy professional in a meeting
我现在在开会，先挂了啊。
I'm in a meeting, hanging up now.
Complaining about a rude salesperson
我还没说完，他就挂了我的电话。
I hadn't finished yet, and he hung up on me.
Cultural Background
The term reflects the global history of telecommunications where receivers were physically hung on hooks. In modern Chinese digital culture, 'hanging up' has evolved into a social etiquette where the timing of the click can signal respect or intimacy.
The 'Bye Bye' Rule
In China, people rarely just say 'Goodbye' and hang up. They often say 'Bye bye' several times while the other person does the same before actually clicking the button.
Don't be too fast!
Hanging up the millisecond you finish your sentence can seem aggressive. Wait a heartbeat for the other person to acknowledge the end.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe ending any phone or video call.
- Combines 'hang' with 'electric speech' (phone).
- Can be used neutrally or to describe hanging up on someone.
What It Means
挂电话 is the most common way to say 'hang up' in Chinese. The word 挂 means to hang or suspend something. It comes from the old days when phones lived on walls. You had to physically hang the receiver back on its hook to end the call. Even though we use flat screens now, the word stuck. It is just like how we still say 'dial' a number.
How To Use It
You use it as a verb-object phrase. You can put words in the middle to add detail. For example, 挂了电话 means you already hung up. If you want to say 'hang up on someone,' you say 挂某人的电话. It is very flexible and works in almost any sentence structure. Just remember it is an action you perform to end the conversation.
When To Use It
Use it whenever a phone call is ending. It works when you are telling a friend you need to go. It works when you are complaining that your boss hung up too fast. You will hear it in offices, on subways, and in movies. If you are finishing a chat with your mom, you might say, 'I am going to hang up now.' That is the perfect time for 挂电话.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it if you are talking about 'turning off' your phone entirely. To power down your device, use 关机. Also, do not use it for ending a face-to-face meeting. It is strictly for telecommunications. If you are in a very formal diplomatic setting, you might hear more complex terms. But for 99% of life, this is your go-to phrase.
Cultural Background
In China, hanging up can be a bit of a social dance. Usually, the person with higher status or the older person hangs up first. Between close friends or lovers, there is often a 'no, you hang up first' moment. This is called 舍不得挂 (reluctant to hang up). It shows you value the connection. Hanging up abruptly is considered quite rude in Chinese culture, just like anywhere else.
Common Variations
You will often hear people just say 挂了 at the end of a call. It is the short, punchy version of 'I'm hanging up now.' Another common one is 别挂, which means 'don't hang up!' If the signal is bad and the call drops, you say 电话断了. If someone hangs up on you angrily, you say 他把我电话挂了. It sounds a bit more dramatic that way!
Usage Notes
This is a neutral, everyday phrase. It is safe to use with friends, family, and colleagues. The only 'gotcha' is to avoid using it for 'turning off' the device itself.
The 'Bye Bye' Rule
In China, people rarely just say 'Goodbye' and hang up. They often say 'Bye bye' several times while the other person does the same before actually clicking the button.
Don't be too fast!
Hanging up the millisecond you finish your sentence can seem aggressive. Wait a heartbeat for the other person to acknowledge the end.
The 'Reluctant' Hook
If you really like someone, say `舍不得挂你电话` (I'm reluctant to hang up on you). It's a very sweet way to show affection.
Examples
6我不说了，先挂电话了。
I'll stop talking now, I'm hanging up.
A very common way to wrap up a conversation.
我现在在开会，先挂了啊。
I'm in a meeting, hanging up now.
Shortening it to just '挂了' makes it sound more natural and hurried.
我还没说完，他就挂了我的电话。
I hadn't finished yet, and he hung up on me.
Using '挂了我的电话' implies the other person was dismissive.
等一下，先别挂电话！
Wait a second, don't hang up yet!
Adding '别' (don't) creates an imperative command.
你先挂，还是我先挂？
Do you hang up first, or do I?
The classic 'you hang up first' trope.
挂了电话，我就去办这件事。
As soon as I hang up, I'll go take care of this.
Shows the sequence of actions.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: 'I need to go to sleep, I'm hanging up.'
我要睡觉了，先___电话了。
`挂` means to hang up, `打` means to call, and `接` means to answer.
How do you say 'Don't hang up my phone'?
别挂___电话。
You use the possessive `我的` to indicate it is your call being terminated.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of '挂电话'
Shortened to '挂了' with friends.
先挂了拜拜
Standard '挂电话' for most situations.
他挂了电话
Using '挂断' for precision.
请挂断电话
When to say 'Hang Up'
End of a date
Reluctant to hang up
Spam call
Hang up immediately
Work call
Ending a report
Bad signal
Call dropped
Practice Bank
2 exercises我要睡觉了，先___电话了。
`挂` means to hang up, `打` means to call, and `接` means to answer.
别挂___电话。
You use the possessive `我的` to indicate it is your call being terminated.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes! Even though it's a video call, everyone still says 挂电话 or just 挂了 to end the session.
挂断 is a bit more formal and technical, often used by automated systems like 'The call has been disconnected' (电话已挂断).
You say 他挂了我的电话. It sounds more personal and slightly accusatory.
Generally, it's polite to let the older person or the client hang up first. If you're peers, it doesn't matter as much.
In that case, don't use 挂. Say 信号不好，断了 (The signal was bad, it broke/cut off).
Yes! 挂衣服 means to hang clothes. The verb 挂 is very versatile for anything involving a hook or suspension.
Say 那先这样，我先挂了 (Let's leave it at that, I'll hang up first). It's a very soft way to end a call.
Not really a slang 'word', but saying 挂了啊 with a soft 'a' at the end makes it sound very casual and friendly.
It means 'Don't hang up!' You use this if you have one more quick thing to say before the other person ends the call.
Usually no. In writing, you'd talk about 'ending the call' using more formal terms like 通话结束.
Related Phrases
接电话 (Answer the phone)
打电话 (Make a phone call)
占线 (The line is busy)
挂断 (To disconnect/hang up - more formal)
回电话 (Call back)
