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B1 verb 13 min read

倒闭

dǎobì

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 倒闭 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 倒闭 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should know that 倒闭 (dǎobì) means a shop or business has closed because it had no money. It is a 'sad' word for a business. Think of it like a shop 'falling down.' You can use it in very simple sentences like '这家店倒闭了' (This shop closed down). At this stage, don't worry about the legal details; just remember it means 'closed forever because of money problems.' You might see this word on a sign or hear people talking about why their favorite snack shop is gone. It's a useful word to know when you're walking around a city and see an empty building that used to be a store. Just remember: 倒 (dǎo) means 'to fall' and 闭 (bì) means 'to close.' A shop that falls and closes is one that has gone bankrupt.

For A2 learners, 倒闭 (dǎobì) is an important word for describing changes in your neighborhood or the news. You should understand that it's a verb used for businesses, not people. You can start adding reasons for the closure using '因为' (because). For example, '因为生意不好，所以这家公司倒闭了' (Because business was not good, this company went bankrupt). You should also notice that we usually add '了' (le) at the end because the closing is a completed event. You might hear it in simple news stories about the economy. It's more specific than just saying '关门' (closed), because '关门' could just mean they are closed for the night, but '倒闭' means they are finished forever.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 倒闭 (dǎobì) in more complex sentences and understand its role in business discussions. You should know that it is an intransitive verb, meaning you can't '倒闭' something; rather, a business '倒闭s.' You should start using it with formal reasons like '经营不善' (poor management) or '竞争激烈' (fierce competition). You can also use it in the future tense with '就要...了' (about to) to say a business is on the verge of failing. For example, '如果不改进，我们的工厂就要倒闭了' (If we don't improve, our factory will go bankrupt). You should be able to distinguish it from '破产' (pòchǎn), which is the more formal legal term for bankruptcy.

At the B2 level, you should use 倒闭 (dǎobì) fluently in discussions about economics, market trends, and corporate strategy. You should understand phrases like '倒闭潮' (a wave of bankruptcies) and be able to discuss the social impact of many businesses failing at once, such as '失业率' (unemployment rate). You should also be comfortable using causative verbs like '导致' (dǎozhì) or '促使' (cùshǐ) to explain the complex reasons behind a company's failure. For example, '全球性的金融危机导致了大量中小企业的倒闭' (The global financial crisis led to the bankruptcy of a large number of small and medium-sized enterprises). You should also recognize it when it's used as a noun, such as in '倒闭风险' (risk of bankruptcy).

For C1 learners, 倒闭 (dǎobì) should be a word you can analyze in-depth. You should understand the subtle differences between 倒闭, 破产, 歇业, and 清算. You should be able to read financial reports that use the term to describe market exits and structural changes in industries. At this level, you can use the word metaphorically or in highly formal contexts, such as discussing the '倒闭' of a specific business model in the face of technological disruption. You should also be aware of the legal implications and the process that follows a '倒闭,' such as asset liquidation and creditor claims. Your usage should be precise, reflecting a deep understanding of the economic realities in China and globally.

At the C2 level, 倒闭 (dǎobì) is a tool for sophisticated economic analysis and nuanced social commentary. You should be able to discuss the historical context of business failures in China, from the reform era to the present day. You can use the term in academic writing or high-level business negotiations to describe the lifecycle of enterprises and the creative destruction of the market. You should understand how '倒闭' affects supply chains, investor confidence, and regional economies. Your mastery should include an awareness of how the term is used in different Chinese-speaking regions and its interplay with legal frameworks like the 'Enterprise Bankruptcy Law of the People's Republic of China.' You should be able to use it with perfect tone and in any register, from a casual remark to a keynote speech on macroeconomics.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

倒闭 in 30 Seconds

倒闭 (dǎobì) is a verb meaning to go bankrupt or close down a business permanently due to financial failure.
It is strictly used for organizations like shops and companies, never for individuals, who use '破产' instead.
Grammatically, it is an intransitive verb, often followed by '了' to indicate the completed state of closure.
Commonly associated with terms like '经营不善' (poor management) and '资金链断裂' (broken capital chain).

The Chinese verb 倒闭 (dǎobì) is a critical term in the realm of economics, business, and daily life. It specifically refers to the act of a business entity—ranging from a small street-side stall to a massive multinational corporation—closing its doors permanently due to financial failure, insolvency, or insurmountable debt. The word is composed of two characters: 倒 (dǎo), meaning to fall, collapse, or topple over, and 闭 (bì), meaning to close or shut. Together, they paint a vivid linguistic picture of a structure physically collapsing and then its doors being sealed shut forever. Unlike the English word 'bankruptcy,' which often carries a specific legal connotation involving courts and restructuring, 倒闭 is more descriptive of the actual cessation of operations. While it is often used interchangeably with the legal term 破产 (pòchǎn), 倒闭 focuses more on the 'closing down' aspect rather than the legal 'insolvency' status.

Business Context: Used when discussing the failure of shops, factories, and companies in news reports or economic analysis.
Daily Life: Used by locals when they notice a favorite restaurant or local grocery store has suddenly disappeared.

In a broader sense, 倒闭 implies a finality that other terms like 停业 (tíngyè - suspended operations) do not. When a business 倒闭, there is usually no intention of reopening. It is the result of a long process of 经营不善 (jīngyíng bùshàn - poor management) or external economic shocks. For instance, during a financial crisis, one might hear about a 倒闭潮 (dǎobì cháo - a wave of bankruptcies), where businesses fail one after another like dominoes. This term is neutral but carries a heavy emotional weight for those involved, as it represents the end of an era or the loss of livelihoods.

由于受到电商的冲击，很多实体店都倒闭了。(Due to the impact of e-commerce, many physical stores have gone bankrupt.)

Furthermore, the usage of 倒闭 often appears in the passive or resultative sense. While it is a verb, it describes a state that has been reached. In Chinese media, you will frequently see headlines like '某大型企业宣布倒闭' (A certain large enterprise announces its closure). It is a word that demands attention because it signals a significant change in the local or global economic landscape. It is also important to distinguish it from 歇业 (xiēyè), which can sometimes mean a temporary break, whereas 倒闭 is the definitive end. Understanding the gravity of this word helps learners grasp the serious nature of business discussions in Chinese-speaking environments.

那家经营了三十年的老店最终还是倒闭了。(That old shop that had been in business for thirty years finally went bankrupt.)

Economic Implication: Reflects market volatility and the competitive nature of the modern Chinese economy.

In conclusion, 倒闭 is a essential vocabulary word for anyone looking to navigate Chinese news, business environments, or even just understand why their favorite neighborhood spot is suddenly gone. It encapsulates the harsh reality of market forces and the fragility of commercial ventures. By mastering its usage, learners can discuss economic trends, corporate news, and community changes with precision and cultural awareness.

Using 倒闭 (dǎobì) correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical function as an intransitive verb. This means it does not typically take a direct object. You do not '倒闭' a company; rather, the company '倒闭s.' If you want to express that someone or something caused a company to fail, you must use causative structures like '使' (shǐ), '导致' (dǎozhì), or '让' (ràng). For example, '经济危机导致了许多工厂倒闭' (The economic crisis caused many factories to go bankrupt). This distinction is vital for learners who might be tempted to translate 'He bankrupted the company' directly into Chinese using 倒闭 as a transitive verb.

Pattern 1: [Subject] + 倒闭了: The most common way to state that a business has closed. Example: 这家超市倒闭了。(This supermarket went bankrupt.)
Pattern 2: [Cause] + 导致/使 + [Subject] + 倒闭: Used to explain the reason for the failure. Example: 资金链断裂导致公司倒闭。(The breaking of the capital chain led to the company's bankruptcy.)

Another important aspect is the use of aspect markers. Since 倒闭 represents a completed action or a change of state, it is almost always followed by the particle 了 (le). Using 倒闭 without 了 usually occurs in conditional sentences, future predictions, or abstract discussions about business cycles. For instance, '如果不创新，公司就会倒闭' (If it doesn't innovate, the company will go bankrupt). Here, the focus is on the potentiality of the event. In news reporting, you might see the phrase '面临倒闭' (miànlín dǎobì), meaning 'facing bankruptcy,' which indicates a precarious situation where the closure hasn't happened yet but is imminent.

如果再不盈利，我们的工作室就要倒闭了。(If we don't start making a profit, our studio will go bankrupt.)

Furthermore, 倒闭 can be used as a noun in some formal contexts, though it is primarily a verb. For example, '倒闭的风险' (dǎobì de fēngxiǎn) means 'the risk of bankruptcy.' When used as a modifier, it describes the state of the entity, such as '倒闭的企业' (bankrupt enterprises). In more advanced usage, you might encounter '破产倒闭' as a compound phrase to emphasize the total legal and operational collapse of an entity. This combination is common in legal documents and high-level economic reports to leave no room for ambiguity about the status of the business.

那家银行的倒闭引发了全球金融市场的震荡。(The bankruptcy of that bank triggered a shock in the global financial markets.)

Degree Modifiers: You generally do not use degree adverbs like '很' (very) with 倒闭 because bankruptcy is a binary state—you either are or you aren't. However, you can use '彻底' (chèdǐ - completely) to emphasize the finality.

Finally, consider the register. 倒闭 is suitable for both formal reports and informal conversation. In informal settings, people might simply say '关门了' (guānmén le - closed the door), but 倒闭 adds a layer of economic explanation. In formal settings, it is the standard term. Mastering these nuances allows a learner to shift between casual talk and professional analysis seamlessly.

The word 倒闭 (dǎobì) is ubiquitous in Chinese society, reflecting the fast-paced and often volatile nature of its economy. You will hear it in various settings, each providing a different perspective on business failure. In the professional world, it is a staple of financial news broadcasts on channels like CCTV-2 (the financial channel). News anchors frequently report on the '倒闭潮' (wave of bankruptcies) in specific sectors, such as the P2P lending platforms or the real estate industry. These reports focus on the systemic causes, such as policy changes, high debt ratios, or shifting market demands. If you are reading the South China Morning Post or the Caixin Global in Chinese, 倒闭 will appear in almost every article concerning market downturns.

Financial News: Reports on large-scale economic trends and corporate failures.
Street Talk: Gossip among neighbors about why a local business vanished overnight.

In a more personal, everyday context, you will hear 倒闭 when people discuss their local neighborhoods. In cities like Shanghai or Beijing, where commercial real estate is expensive and competition is fierce, shops open and close with startling frequency. A common conversation might involve a person asking, '咦，那家奶茶店怎么不见了？' (Hey, why is that milk tea shop gone?) and the response being, '倒闭了呗，租金太贵了。' (It went bankrupt, I guess; the rent was too high.) This usage is more casual but still uses the term to denote a failure of the business model. It reflects a certain pragmatism in Chinese culture regarding the risks of entrepreneurship.

听说那家健身房老板跑路了，健身房也倒闭了。(I heard the gym owner ran away with the money, and the gym went bankrupt.)

You will also encounter 倒闭 in movies and TV dramas, especially those centered on business rivalries or family fortunes. The '倒闭' of a family business is a classic trope in Chinese 'C-dramas,' often serving as the catalyst for the protagonist's journey or a tragic downfall. In these narratives, the word is used to evoke high drama and high stakes. Moreover, in the age of social media, platforms like Weibo and Douyin are filled with discussions about the '倒闭' of internet start-ups. Users often analyze these failures, using 倒闭 as a starting point for debates on venture capital, burn rates, and the sustainability of modern business models.

那家互联网公司融资失败，很快就倒闭了。(That internet company failed to get financing and went bankrupt very quickly.)

Social Media: Discussions on the 'death' of apps, tech firms, and viral trends.

Lastly, in educational settings, textbooks on economics and business Chinese will use 倒闭 to explain market exit strategies and financial risk management. It is a fundamental term for students of the Chinese economy. Whether it is a dry academic lecture or a heated debate in a coffee shop, 倒闭 is the word that signals the end of a commercial venture and the beginning of an economic post-mortem.

Learning to use 倒闭 (dǎobì) correctly involves avoiding several common pitfalls that English speakers often encounter. The most frequent mistake is using 倒闭 for individuals. In English, we say 'I am bankrupt' or 'He went bankrupt.' However, in Chinese, 倒闭 is strictly reserved for organizations, companies, and shops. If you say '我倒闭了' (Wǒ dǎobì le), a native speaker will likely find it humorous or confusing, as if you are comparing yourself to a failed storefront. For individuals, you must use 破产 (pòchǎn), which is the legal term for bankruptcy that applies to both people and entities, or simply state that you have no money (破产 can also be used figuratively for 'bankrupt' in spirit or morals).

Mistake 1: Personal Bankruptcy: Incorrect: 那个赌徒倒闭了。 (That gambler went bankrupt.) Correct: 那个赌徒破产了。
Mistake 2: Transitive Usage: Incorrect: 经理倒闭了公司。 (The manager bankrupted the company.) Correct: 经理导致了公司倒闭。

Another common error is confusing 倒闭 with other terms for 'closing.' For example, 关门 (guānmén) literally means 'to close the door.' While '关门' can be used as a euphemism for going out of business, it also simply means closing for the day. If you say '那家店关门了,' it might just mean they finished their business hours. 倒闭, however, is unambiguous—the business has failed. Similarly, 停业 (tíngyè) means to suspend business, which could be for renovations, a holiday, or a temporary legal issue. Using 倒闭 when a business is only temporarily closed can lead to serious misunderstandings or even legal trouble for spreading false rumors (造谣).

不要随便说一家店倒闭，可能人家只是在装修。(Don't say a shop has gone bankrupt randomly; they might just be renovating.)

A third mistake involves the 'passive voice.' In English, we often say 'The company was bankrupted by the recession.' In Chinese, learners often try to use the 被 (bèi) construction: '公司被经济危机倒闭了.' This is grammatically awkward because 倒闭 is an intransitive verb of state change. It is much more natural to say '经济危机使公司倒闭了' or use the '由于...而...' structure: '公司由于经济危机而倒闭了.' Understanding that 倒闭 is something that happens *to* the subject automatically, rather than an action performed on it, is key to sounding like a native speaker.

这家工厂倒闭是因为欠了太多的债。(This factory's bankruptcy was because it owed too much debt.)

Nuance Check: Don't use 倒闭 for non-profit organizations or government bodies. They '撤销' (chèxiāo - are abolished) or '解散' (jiěsàn - dissolve), but they don't 'go bankrupt' in the commercial sense of 倒闭.

Finally, remember that 倒闭 is a strong word. It implies failure. If a business closes because the owner retired and wanted to move to Hawaii, you wouldn't use 倒闭. You would say '结业' (jiéyè - to wind up a business) or '关张' (guānzhāng). 倒闭 always suggests that the closure was forced by negative financial circumstances. Using it correctly shows you understand not just the language, but the social and economic context of the situation.

To truly master 倒闭 (dǎobì), it is helpful to compare it with its synonyms and related terms. The Chinese language has a rich vocabulary for business closure, each with its own nuance. The most common alternative is 破产 (pòchǎn). While 倒闭 is often used for the physical act of closing down, 破产 is the formal, legal term for bankruptcy. A company might be in a state of 破产 (insolvency) for months before it actually 倒闭 (closes its doors). 破产 is also the only term that can be applied to individuals. In a legal document, you will always see 破产, but in a newspaper headline about a shop closing, you are more likely to see 倒闭.

倒闭 vs. 破产: 倒闭 is the actual closure; 破产 is the legal status of having more debt than assets.
倒闭 vs. 关门: 关门 is literal and colloquial; 倒闭 is specific to financial failure.

Another set of related terms includes 歇业 (xiēyè) and 停业 (tíngyè). 歇业 is often used for small businesses or shops that are 'taking a break' or closing down for a period. It sounds much softer than 倒闭. 停业 is more formal and usually refers to a 'suspension' of business, often due to a violation of regulations or for internal reasons. If a restaurant is 停业整顿 (tíngyè zhěngdùn), it means they have been ordered to stop business to fix some issues (like hygiene) before they can reopen. If they 倒闭, they are gone for good. Using the wrong term here can imply a business is failing when it's just renovating, which can be a major faux pas.

很多书店在互联网时代选择了歇业，而不是直接倒闭。(Many bookstores chose to cease operations rather than go directly bankrupt in the internet age.)

In the context of liquidation, you might hear 清盘 (qīngpán) or 清算 (qīngsuàn). These terms refer to the process of selling off assets to pay back creditors after a business has decided to 倒闭. While 倒闭 is the event, 清算 is the subsequent process. Another interesting term is 垮台 (kuǎtái), which means 'to collapse' or 'to fall from power.' This is usually used for political regimes or very large, powerful organizations. If a massive conglomerate fails, you might say it 垮了 (kuǎ le), but for a normal company, 倒闭 is the standard. Understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the word that fits the scale and the nature of the failure you are describing.

由于经营不善，这家曾经辉煌的企业最终走向了清算。(Due to poor management, this once-glorious enterprise finally headed toward liquidation.)

Register and Scale: Use 关张 (guānzhāng) for small shops, 倒闭 (dǎobì) for general businesses, and 破产 (pòchǎn) for legal/financial contexts.

Lastly, consider the antonyms. The opposite of 倒闭 is 开业 (kāiyè - to open for business) or 兴隆 (xīnglóng - to prosper). A business that is doing well is said to be 蒸蒸日上 (zhēngzhēng rìshàng - flourishing day by day), the complete antithesis of a business facing 倒闭. By learning these related words, you build a mental map of the business lifecycle in Chinese, from the grand opening to the unfortunate closure.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In old China, when a shop '倒闭' (fell and closed), the owners would sometimes literally pull down the storefront curtains to signal they were no longer in business.

Pronunciation Guide

UK dǎobì

US dǎobì

The emphasis is usually slightly more on the first syllable 'dǎo' because of its complex third tone, but both are clearly enunciated.

Rhymes With

老 (lǎo) 跑 (pǎo) 少 (shǎo) 力 (lì) 记 (jì) 气 (qì) 意 (yì) 地 (dì)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'dǎo' as 'dào' (4th tone), which changes the meaning or makes it sound incorrect.
Pronouncing 'bì' as 'bi' (1st tone), which is a different character.
Failing to fully dip the 3rd tone in 'dǎo'.
Confusing 'dǎo' with 'dào' (road/way).
Confusing 'bì' with 'bǐ' (pen/compare).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are relatively common, but the context is often economic.

Writing 4/5

The character '闭' can be tricky for beginners to remember.

Speaking 3/5

Tone distinction between dǎo and bì is important.

Listening 3/5

Common in news and daily conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

公司商店钱关因为

Learn Next

破产经营经济亏损清算

Advanced

资不抵债宏观调控市场出清债权人

Grammar to Know

Intransitive Verbs

公司倒闭了。(Correct) / 他倒闭了公司。(Incorrect)

Causative Sentences (使/让/导致)

经济危机导致公司倒闭。

Aspect Marker '了' for change of state

那家店倒闭了。

Conditional '如果...就...'

如果没钱，工厂就会倒闭。

Noun Modification with '的'

倒闭的公司正在处理债务。

Examples by Level

这家店倒闭了。

This shop went bankrupt.

Subject + 倒闭 + 了.

那家饭馆为什么倒闭了？

Why did that restaurant go bankrupt?

Question word '为什么'.

超市倒闭了，我不能买菜了。

The supermarket went bankrupt; I can't buy vegetables anymore.

Compound sentence with '不能'.

很多小公司倒闭了。

Many small companies went bankrupt.

Use of '很多' (many).

我的朋友的公司倒闭了。

My friend's company went bankrupt.

Possessive '的'.

因为没钱，所以它倒闭了。

Because there was no money, it went bankrupt.

Because... so... structure.

书店倒闭了，我很伤心。

The bookstore went bankrupt; I am very sad.

Adjective '伤心' (sad).

这家工厂去年倒闭了。

This factory went bankrupt last year.

Time word '去年' (last year).

由于生意不好，这家咖啡馆倒闭了。

Due to bad business, this cafe went bankrupt.

Use of '由于' (due to).

听说那家著名的商场倒闭了。

I heard that famous shopping mall went bankrupt.

Use of '听说' (heard that).

如果他不努力，公司可能会倒闭。

If he doesn't work hard, the company might go bankrupt.

Conditional '如果...可能'.

这家服装店倒闭后，变成了一家药店。

After this clothing store went bankrupt, it became a pharmacy.

Time clause with '...后'.

那个老板因为欠债太多，公司倒闭了。

That boss's company went bankrupt because he owed too much debt.

Reason clause with '因为'.

最近有很多餐馆都倒闭了。

Many restaurants have gone bankrupt recently.

Time word '最近' (recently).

我不希望这家书店倒闭。

I don't want this bookstore to go bankrupt.

Negative '不希望'.

那家公司倒闭的时候，很多员工失业了。

When that company went bankrupt, many employees lost their jobs.

Time clause '...的时候'.

经营不善是导致这家企业倒闭的主要原因。

Poor management is the main reason leading to this enterprise's bankruptcy.

Subject as a noun phrase.

在激烈的市场竞争中，弱小的公司很容易倒闭。

In fierce market competition, weak companies go bankrupt easily.

Prepositional phrase '在...中'.

由于资金链断裂，这家房地产公司突然宣布倒闭。

Due to a break in the capital chain, this real estate company suddenly announced its bankruptcy.

Adverb '突然' (suddenly).

政府正在采取措施，防止更多的工厂倒闭。

The government is taking measures to prevent more factories from going bankrupt.

Progressive aspect '正在'.

虽然这家店倒闭了，但老板还想重新创业。

Although this shop went bankrupt, the boss still wants to start a business again.

Conjunction '虽然...但'.

那家银行倒闭的消息传遍了整个城市。

The news of that bank's bankruptcy spread throughout the city.

Resultative verb '传遍'.

互联网的兴起使得许多传统书店面临倒闭。

The rise of the internet has caused many traditional bookstores to face bankruptcy.

Causative verb '使得'.

这家百年老店最终还是没能逃脱倒闭的命运。

This century-old shop finally failed to escape the fate of bankruptcy.

Fixed phrase '逃脱...的命运'.

受全球金融危机影响，该地区的制造业出现了倒闭潮。

Affected by the global financial crisis, a wave of bankruptcies appeared in the region's manufacturing industry.

Passive-like structure '受...影响'.

如果公司继续亏损，恐怕撑不到年底就要倒闭了。

If the company continues to lose money, I'm afraid it won't last until the end of the year and will go bankrupt.

Adverb '恐怕' (I'm afraid that).

这家初创公司因为融资失败而无奈倒闭。

This startup was forced to go bankrupt due to failure in financing.

Structure '因为...而...'.

倒闭企业的资产将被公开拍卖以偿还债务。

The assets of the bankrupt enterprise will be publicly auctioned to repay debts.

Passive marker '将' and '被'.

许多投资者担心，这家巨头公司的倒闭会引发连锁反应。

Many investors worry that the bankruptcy of this giant company will trigger a chain reaction.

Auxiliary verb '会' for future possibility.

在该行业，优胜劣汰是常态，倒闭并不罕见。

In this industry, survival of the fittest is the norm; bankruptcy is not rare.

Idiom '优胜劣汰'.

为了避免倒闭，公司不得不进行大规模的裁员。

In order to avoid bankruptcy, the company had to carry out large-scale layoffs.

Purpose clause '为了'.

这家航空公司在经历了长期的罢工后最终倒闭了。

This airline finally went bankrupt after experiencing a long-term strike.

Experience marker '经历了'.

该集团的倒闭标志着一个时代的终结，也反映了产业结构的深刻调整。

The bankruptcy of the group marks the end of an era and reflects profound adjustments in the industrial structure.

Formal verb '标志着' (marks).

在宏观经济下行的压力下，即便是一些老牌企业也难逃倒闭的厄运。

Under the pressure of a macroeconomic downturn, even some long-established enterprises cannot escape the misfortune of bankruptcy.

Structure '即便...也...' (even if... still...).

法律专家正在讨论如何完善企业倒闭后的员工安置政策。

Legal experts are discussing how to improve employee settlement policies after enterprise bankruptcy.

Abstract noun phrase '员工安置政策'.

这次倒闭事件暴露了该公司内部审计制度的严重漏洞。

This bankruptcy incident exposed serious loopholes in the company's internal audit system.

Verb '暴露' (expose).

虽然公司尚未正式倒闭，但其信用评级已被降至最低水平。

Although the company has not yet officially gone bankrupt, its credit rating has been lowered to the lowest level.

Adverb '尚未' (not yet).

倒闭清算过程中，债权人的利益保护是法律关注的焦点。

During the bankruptcy liquidation process, the protection of creditors' interests is the focus of legal attention.

Prepositional phrase '...过程中'.

一些企业通过恶意倒闭来逃避债务，这种行为受到了法律的严厉打击。

Some enterprises evade debts through malicious bankruptcy, a behavior severely cracked down upon by the law.

Instrumental '通过' (through).

该行业的倒闭率在过去一年中急剧上升，引起了监管部门的高度重视。

The bankruptcy rate in the industry has risen sharply over the past year, attracting high attention from regulatory departments.

Noun '倒闭率' (bankruptcy rate).

在全球化背景下，供应链上任何一个关键环节的倒闭都可能引发系统性风险。

In the context of globalization, the bankruptcy of any key link in the supply chain could trigger systemic risk.

Conditional '任何...都可能'.

该垄断企业的倒闭，客观上为新兴初创公司腾出了宝贵的市场空间。

The bankruptcy of the monopoly enterprise objectively freed up valuable market space for emerging startups.

Adverb '客观上' (objectively).

我们要警惕那种以‘破产倒闭’为借口，实则进行资产转移的违法行为。

We must be alert to illegal acts that use 'bankruptcy' as an excuse to actually perform asset transfers.

Structure '以...为借口'.

倒闭潮往往是市场出清的一种极端形式，有助于优化资源配置。

Waves of bankruptcies are often an extreme form of market clearing, helping to optimize resource allocation.

Formal term '市场出清' (market clearing).

该银行的倒闭引发了关于‘大而不倒’原则的广泛社会争论。

The bankruptcy of the bank triggered a widespread social debate about the 'too big to fail' principle.

Quoted concept '大而不倒'.

在资本的疯狂扩张之后，往往伴随着一地鸡毛的倒闭与清算。

After the frantic expansion of capital, there is often a mess of bankruptcies and liquidations left behind.

Idiomatic expression '一地鸡毛'.

对于很多小微企业而言，倒闭不仅是财务上的终结，更是创业者梦想的破灭。

For many small and micro enterprises, bankruptcy is not just a financial end, but also the shattering of the entrepreneur's dreams.

Structure '不仅是...更是...'.

通过对历史上几次大规模倒闭潮的研究，我们可以发现周期性经济危机的规律。

By studying several large-scale bankruptcy waves in history, we can discover the patterns of periodic economic crises.

Prepositional phrase '通过对...的研究'.

Common Collocations

面临倒闭

经营不善倒闭

大规模倒闭

突然倒闭

宣布倒闭

倒闭风险

倒闭潮

濒临倒闭

被迫倒闭

倒闭清算

Common Phrases

倒闭了

— Went bankrupt. Used to state the fact of closure.

听说那家饭馆倒闭了。

快倒闭了

— About to go bankrupt. Used when a business is in trouble.

他的公司快倒闭了，别去那里工作。

倒闭潮

— A wave of bankruptcies. Used in economic reports.

互联网泡沫破裂后出现了一股倒闭潮。

面临倒闭

— Facing bankruptcy. A more formal way to say a business is in trouble.

该公司正面临倒闭的边缘。

倒闭的企业

— Bankrupt enterprises. Used to describe a group of failed businesses.

政府如何处理这些倒闭的企业？

恶意倒闭

— Malicious bankruptcy. Closing a business to avoid paying debts illegally.

法律严禁任何形式的恶意倒闭。

倒闭之后

— After the bankruptcy. Refers to the period following the closure.

倒闭之后，他一直在寻找新的机会。

倒闭原因

— Reason for bankruptcy. Used in analysis.

我们应该分析这家巨头公司的倒闭原因。

如果不...就倒闭

— If... don't... then will go bankrupt. A common conditional warning.

如果不转型，传统书店就会倒闭。

第一家倒闭的

— The first one to go bankrupt.

它是该行业中第一家倒闭的公司。

Often Confused With

倒闭 vs 破产

破产 is legal; 倒闭 is practical. 破产 applies to people; 倒闭 does not.

倒闭 vs 关门

关门 can be temporary (for the night); 倒闭 is permanent failure.

倒闭 vs 停业

停业 is a suspension (often for fixing problems); 倒闭 is the end.

Idioms & Expressions

"经营不善"

— Poor management. The most common idiom used to explain why a company 倒闭.

由于经营不善，这家公司在三年内就倒闭了。

Formal

"资金链断裂"

— Broken capital chain. A technical idiom for running out of cash flow.

资金链断裂是导致许多初创企业倒闭的直接原因。

Business

"优胜劣汰"

— Survival of the fittest. Often used to describe the market process where weak companies 倒闭.

在市场经济中，优胜劣汰导致了一些企业的倒闭。

Academic

"一地鸡毛"

— A total mess. Often used to describe the chaotic aftermath of a business 倒闭.

老板跑路后，公司留下了一地鸡毛。

Colloquial

"入不敷出"

— Income not meeting expenses. A reason for 倒闭.

由于长期入不敷出，商店最终倒闭了。

Formal

"债台高筑"

— Deep in debt. Describes the state of a company before it 倒闭.

公司已经债台高筑，离倒闭不远了。

Literary

"坐吃山空"

— To consume one's legacy without producing anything. Leads to 倒闭.

他只知道挥霍而不去赚钱，迟早会让家产倒闭。

Idiomatic

"兵败如山倒"

— Like a mountain falling in defeat. Describes a very sudden and total 倒闭.

随着主要产品的失败，公司的倒闭真是兵败如山倒。

Literary

"大而无当"

— Large but useless. Often said of companies that 倒闭 because they were too bloated.

那家大而无当的公司最终还是倒闭了。

Literary

"如履薄冰"

— Like walking on thin ice. Describes a business trying to avoid 倒闭.

在危机中，每家公司都如履薄冰，生怕倒闭。

Literary

Easily Confused

倒闭 vs 破产

Both mean bankruptcy.

破产 is the legal term for insolvency and can apply to individuals. 倒闭 is the general term for a business closing due to failure.

公司倒闭了，老板也破产了。

倒闭 vs 歇业

Both involve stopping business.

歇业 is neutral and can be temporary or voluntary. 倒闭 is negative and implies financial failure.

他打算歇业一个月去旅游。

倒闭 vs 关张

Both mean closing a shop.

关张 is more colloquial and specifically used for shops/retail. 倒闭 is used for any business size.

那家铺子关张了。

倒闭 vs 夭折

Both mean ending early.

夭折 is used for plans, ideas, or young lives. 倒闭 is used for established businesses.

由于缺乏资金，这个项目夭折了。

倒闭 vs 垮台

Both mean a total collapse.

垮台 is used for political regimes or massive, powerful organizations. 倒闭 is for commercial entities.

那个反动政府垮台了。

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] + 倒闭了。

饭馆倒闭了。

因为 [Reason]，[Subject] 倒闭了。

因为没客人，商店倒闭了。

[Cause] 导致了 [Subject] 的倒闭。

管理不善导致了工厂的倒闭。

[Subject] 面临倒闭的危险。

这家初创企业面临倒闭的危险。

由于 [Complex Reason]，[Subject] 最终难逃倒闭的命运。

由于市场萎缩，这家老牌企业最终难逃倒闭的命运。

[Subject] 的倒闭引发了 [Consequence]。

该银行的倒闭引发了系统性的金融风险。

如果不 [Action]，[Subject] 就会倒闭。

如果不降价，那家店就会倒闭。

[Subject] 正处于倒闭的边缘。

很多小企业正处于倒闭的边缘。

Word Family

Nouns

倒闭率 (bankruptcy rate)

倒闭潮 (bankruptcy wave)

Verbs

倒闭 (to go bankrupt)

Adjectives

倒闭的 (bankrupt/closed)

破产 (bankruptcy)

关门 (close down)

清算 (liquidation)

亏损 (loss)

负债 (debt)

How to Use It

frequency

High in business, news, and urban life contexts.

Common Mistakes

我倒闭了。 → 我破产了。
Individuals do not '倒闭'; only businesses do.
他倒闭了他的工厂。 → 他使他的工厂倒闭了。
倒闭 is intransitive; it cannot take an object directly.
公司被倒闭了。 → 公司倒闭了。
We don't usually use the passive '被' with 倒闭 because it is a state change.
因为他在装修，所以店倒闭了。 → 因为他在装修，所以店关门了。
Renovation is temporary; 倒闭 is permanent failure.
这个银行破产倒闭。 → 这个银行倒闭清算。
While '破产倒闭' is used, '清算' is more precise for the process after failure.

Tips

Intransitive Usage

Remember that 倒闭 is intransitive. Don't say 'he bankrupted the shop'; say 'the shop bankrupted' or 'he caused the shop to bankrupt'.

Pair with 经营不善

This is the most natural way to explain a business failure in Chinese.

Third Tone Dip

Ensure the 'dǎo' dips low and rises back up to avoid sounding like 'dào' (arrive).

Business Only

Reserve this word for shops, factories, and companies.

Look for '了'

In 90% of cases, you will see '倒闭了' because it describes a completed result.

Formal Reports

In formal writing, use '由于...而倒闭' to show a logical connection.

Face Saving

Be aware that mentioning a friend's business 倒闭 can be a sensitive topic.

vs 关门

Use 倒闭 when you want to emphasize the financial failure, not just the physical closing.

Colloquialism

In very casual settings, '垮了' (kuǎ le) is a common alternative.

News Keywords

When you hear '倒闭', listen for the subject—it's usually the main topic of the economic report.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a giant 'D' (for 倒) falling over like a domino and hitting a 'B' (for 闭) which acts as a door slamming shut. The falling (倒) causes the closing (闭).

Visual Association

A storefront with a large red 'X' over it and a 'For Lease' sign. The building looks like it's slightly tilted or 'falling' (倒).

Word Web

Business Money Debt Close Failure Market Economy Unemployment

Challenge

Try to find three news headlines in Chinese today that use the word 倒闭 and explain the reason for each closure.

Word Origin

The word is composed of '倒' (dǎo), meaning to fall or collapse, and '闭' (bì), meaning to close. It originates from the visual of a building or a person falling down and then being shut away. In ancient business contexts, it referred to a shop that could no longer stand on its own and had to close its doors.

Original meaning: To fall down and be closed.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)

Cultural Context

Be sensitive when using this word about someone's business; it is a direct statement of failure.

In English, 'bankrupt' can be a person or a company. In Chinese, 倒闭 is only for companies. This is a common point of confusion.

The 2008 Lehman Brothers bankruptcy is often cited as a '倒闭' that changed the world. The closure of the famous 'P2P' lending platforms in China was a major '倒闭潮'. The 'Ofo' bike-sharing company is a famous recent example of a startup that 倒闭了.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Economic News

倒闭潮
面临倒闭
宣布倒闭
倒闭率

Neighborhood Gossip

倒闭了
关门了
老板跑路了
生意不好

Business Meetings

倒闭风险
防止倒闭
经营不善
资金链

History/Social Studies

大规模倒闭
倒闭原因
社会影响
失业

Legal/Financial Analysis

倒闭清算
恶意倒闭
债权
资产

Conversation Starters

"你听说那家老字号饭馆倒闭了吗？ (Did you hear that old famous restaurant went bankrupt?)"

"为什么现在的实体店这么容易倒闭？ (Why are physical stores so easy to go bankrupt nowadays?)"

"如果你的公司面临倒闭，你会怎么办？ (If your company was facing bankruptcy, what would you do?)"

"你觉得导致那家科技巨头倒闭的原因是什么？ (What do you think was the reason for that tech giant's bankruptcy?)"

"最近这一波倒闭潮对当地经济有什么影响？ (What impact does this recent wave of bankruptcies have on the local economy?)"

Journal Prompts

写一写你家附近一家倒闭了的小店，它以前是什么样的？ (Write about a small shop near your home that went bankrupt; what was it like before?)

如果你是一个老板，你会如何防止你的公司倒闭？ (If you were a boss, how would you prevent your company from going bankrupt?)

讨论一下电商对传统零售店倒闭的影响。 (Discuss the impact of e-commerce on the bankruptcy of traditional retail stores.)

描述一次你听到的关于某大公司倒闭的新闻，以及你的感受。 (Describe a news report you heard about a large company's bankruptcy and how you felt.)

你认为‘倒闭’在市场经济中是好事还是坏事？为什么？ (Do you think 'bankruptcy' is a good or bad thing in a market economy? Why?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. 倒闭 is only for businesses. To say you are bankrupt, say '我破产了' (Wǒ pòchǎn le).

倒闭 is more about the business closing its doors. 破产 is the legal status of being unable to pay debts. A company can be 破产 without having 倒闭 yet (during restructuring).

Yes, it almost always implies the business is gone for good.

It is neutral to formal. You will see it in news reports and hear it in daily conversation.

Generally, 倒闭 is for commercial entities. For non-profits, use '关闭' (guānbì) or '撤销' (chèxiāo).

It means a 'wave of bankruptcies,' usually referring to many businesses in one industry failing at the same time.

You can say '被迫倒闭' (bèipò dǎobì).

Yes, if the company running the website fails. You can say '那个网站倒闭了'.

开业 (kāiyè - open for business) or 兴隆 (xīnglóng - prospering).

People often say '凉了' (liáng le - it's cold/done for) or '挂了' (guà le - it's dead).