In 15 Seconds
- Standard way to say 'hang up' or 'disconnect' a call.
- Combines the words for 'hang' and 'break/cut'.
- Used for both intentional ending and technical disconnections.
Meaning
This is the standard way to say 'hang up the phone' or 'end a call'. It is a direct command or description of the action of disconnecting a telecommunication line.
Key Examples
3 of 6Ending a standard call
请先挂断电话。
Please hang up the phone first.
Explaining a sudden cut-off
他不小心挂断了。
He accidentally hung up.
Annoyed during an argument
我还没说完，你就挂断了！
I wasn't finished, and you hung up!
Cultural Background
The phrase reflects the mechanical history of telecommunications where a physical connection had to be 'broken' (断). In Chinese business culture, it is often considered polite to wait a second after the conversation ends before pressing the button, ensuring the other party has finished speaking.
The 'Polite Wait'
In China, it's often polite to wait for the other person to hang up first, especially if they are your elder or boss. Hanging up instantly can seem slightly rude.
Shorten it for friends
When talking to friends, you don't need the full `挂断`. Just say `挂了` (guà le) to sound more natural and less like a robot.
In 15 Seconds
- Standard way to say 'hang up' or 'disconnect' a call.
- Combines the words for 'hang' and 'break/cut'.
- Used for both intentional ending and technical disconnections.
What It Means
挂断 is the most common way to describe ending a phone call. The first character 挂 means to hang. The second character 断 means to break or cut off. Together, they describe the physical act of hanging up a receiver. Even though we use touchscreens now, the phrase stuck around. It is simple, functional, and very clear.
How To Use It
Use it as a verb to describe the action you just took. You can say someone hung up on you. You can also use it as a request to end a conversation. It usually appears as 挂断电话 (hang up the phone). Sometimes people just say 挂了 for a quicker, more casual vibe. It is like the 'End Call' button in word form.
When To Use It
You use this when a call is finished. Use it when you are telling a friend why the line went dead. It is perfect for professional settings when discussing technical call issues. Use it when you are annoyed and want to stop talking. It works for cell phones, landlines, and even video calls. If the signal is bad, you might say you need to 挂断 and redial.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this if you want to sound very polite or soft. Saying 我要挂断了 can sound a bit abrupt or cold. To be nicer, say 先不说了 (let's stop talking for now). Avoid using it for physical objects like hanging clothes. That is just 挂. Also, do not use it for 'hanging out' with friends. That is a completely different word! Using 挂断 there would make it sound like you are breaking up the friendship.
Cultural Background
In the old days, Chinese phones were heavy wall-mounted units. You literally had to hang the earpiece on a hook to break the circuit. This physical action created the term 挂断. In modern China, phone etiquette is huge. Hanging up first can sometimes be seen as slightly aggressive. Many people wait for the older person or the boss to hang up first. It is a subtle game of polite waiting.
Common Variations
The most common casual variation is 挂了. You will hear people say 那我挂了啊 (I'm hanging up then) at the end of every call. If someone hangs up on you rudely, you say 被挂了. If the line drops accidentally, you use 掉线了. For a very formal 'please hang up', you might hear 请挂机. But for 90% of your life, 挂断 or 挂了 is all you need.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and safe for almost any situation. In casual speech, the 'duàn' is often dropped, leaving just 'guà' plus a particle like 'le'.
The 'Polite Wait'
In China, it's often polite to wait for the other person to hang up first, especially if they are your elder or boss. Hanging up instantly can seem slightly rude.
Shorten it for friends
When talking to friends, you don't need the full `挂断`. Just say `挂了` (guà le) to sound more natural and less like a robot.
Don't use for clothes!
Even though `挂` means hang, you can't use `挂断` for hanging up your coat. That would imply you are ripping your coat in half!
Examples
6请先挂断电话。
Please hang up the phone first.
A polite, standard instruction often heard from customer service.
他不小心挂断了。
He accidentally hung up.
Used to clarify that the disconnection wasn't intentional.
我还没说完，你就挂断了！
I wasn't finished, and you hung up!
Expresses frustration when someone ends the call prematurely.
如果信号不好，就挂断重拨。
If the signal is bad, hang up and redial.
Instructional use for solving a problem.
刚才信号断了，电话自动挂断了。
The signal broke just now, the call hung up automatically.
Explaining a technical glitch via text.
我以为是推销电话，就直接挂断了。
I thought it was a sales call, so I just hung up.
A common relatable scenario for avoiding telemarketers.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: 'I am busy, I will hang up now.'
我现在很忙，先___了。
`挂断` is the only verb here that refers to ending a phone call.
How do you say 'The phone was hung up'?
电话被___了。
The passive marker `被` (bèi) combined with `挂断` means the call was terminated.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Ways to End a Call
Short and quick
挂了 (guà le)
Standard description
挂断 (guà duàn)
Technical or polite
挂机 (guà jī)
When to say 挂断
Bad Signal
Signal is bad, let's hang up.
Angry
Hanging up in a huff.
Meeting
I need to go to a meeting, hanging up.
Mistake
Dialed the wrong number, hung up.
Practice Bank
2 exercises我现在很忙，先___了。
`挂断` is the only verb here that refers to ending a phone call.
电话被___了。
The passive marker `被` (bèi) combined with `挂断` means the call was terminated.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions挂断 is the formal verb for the action, while 挂了 is the casual way to say 'I'm hanging up now' or 'it's hung up'.
Yes, it is commonly used for any voice or video call to describe disconnecting the session.
Not inherently, but saying 我要挂断了 (I'm going to hang up) without a reason can sound a bit cold. Adding 先 (first) makes it softer.
You say 他挂了我的电话 (He hung up my phone) or 他把我挂了.
You would usually say 断线了 (duàn xiàn le) or 信号断了 (xìn hào duàn le) rather than 挂断.
In very formal or technical contexts, you might hear 挂机 (guà jī), which literally means 'hang up the machine'.
No, for pictures or clothes, just use 挂 (guà). 挂断 specifically implies breaking a connection.
断 means to break, snap, or cut off. In 挂断, it emphasizes that the communication line is being severed.
You say 别挂断 (bié guà duàn) or more casually 别挂 (bié guà).
Yes, 挂断 is standard Mandarin and understood everywhere in the Chinese-speaking world.
Related Phrases
接听
To answer a call
通话中
On a call / Line is busy
重拨
To redial
占线
The line is busy
