Meaning
抛弃 means to abandon or throw away something or someone, often implying a deliberate decision to leave behind or discard what was once valued or needed. It carries a negative connotation and suggests rejection or neglect. The word can be used for people, objects, ideas, or responsibilities.
Usage
This is a formal to semi-formal verb commonly used in written Chinese and serious spoken contexts. It often appears in emotional or moral discussions about relationships, responsibilities, or ideals. The word carries stronger negative implications than simpler words like 丢 (to throw away) because it emphasizes the act of forsaking something that had previous connection or value.
Examples
- 01他抛弃了家人，独自去国外发展。, .He abandoned his family and went abroad alone to develop his career.
- 02我们不能为了金钱而抛弃自己的原则。.We cannot abandon our principles for the sake of money.
Characters
Common collocations
- 抛弃责任to abandon responsibility
- 抛弃妻子to abandon one's wife
- 抛弃理想to abandon one's ideals
- 被抛弃to be abandoned
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters relate to the act of casting away. 抛 (pāo) originally depicted throwing with the hand, while 弃 (qì) shows a child being abandoned in a basket, creating a compound that emphasizes deliberate abandonment.