Definition
毁约 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to break a promise or agreement'. The verb 毁 and the object 约 can split: you can insert aspect markers (了, 过), measure words, or modifiers between them, e.g. 毁过约 (have broken an agreement before), 毁了一次约 (broke an agreement once). You do not put the person you are breaking the promise to directly after 毁约; instead, use 跟/对 + person + 毁约.
v.o.
to break a promiseto break an agreement
Examples
- ，。Tā huǐ guò yí cì yuē, dàjiā dōu bú xìnrèn tā le.He broke an agreement once, and nobody trusts him anymore.
- 毁约。Hétong qiān le jiù bù néng suíbiàn huǐ yuē.Once a contract is signed, you can't casually break it.
- 毁约，。Rúguǒ nǐ huǐ yuē, yào fù wéiyuē jīn.If you break the agreement, you have to pay a penalty.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.