qìjù: 弃剧 - To Drop a Show, To Stop Watching a Series

• Keywords: 弃剧, qiju, drop a show Chinese, stop watching a drama, Chinese slang, Chinese TV shows, C-drama, binge-watching, 烂尾, what does qiju mean, zhuiju, shuaju
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 弃剧 (qìjù), a popular and essential Chinese slang term used by millions. Meaning “to drop a show,” this word perfectly captures the modern experience of giving up on a TV series that has become boring, disappointing, or has a bad plot. This guide explores its cultural significance in the age of C-dramas and binge-watching, teaches you how to use it in conversation, and contrasts it with related terms like `追剧 (zhuījù)` (to follow a show) and `烂尾 (lànwěi)` (a bad ending).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): qì jù
• Part of Speech: Verb phrase (Verb-Object)
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: To abandon or give up on watching a television series.
• In a Nutshell: 弃剧 (qìjù) is the act of making a conscious decision to stop watching a TV show you've been following. It's not just forgetting to watch; it's an active choice, usually driven by disappointment, boredom, or a decline in the show's quality. In the world of online streaming and fan communities, declaring you're going to `弃剧` is a common way to express your opinion and share your frustration with fellow viewers.

• 弃 (qì): This character means “to abandon,” “to discard,” or “to give up on.” Think of it as throwing something away that you no longer want or need.
• 剧 (jù): This character means “drama,” “play,” or “series.” It refers to a performance or a show, especially one with a continuing plot.

When combined, 弃剧 (qìjù) literally means “to abandon the drama.” The meaning is transparent and captures the feeling of breaking up with a TV show perfectly.

弃剧 (qìjù) is a modern term whose popularity is directly tied to the explosion of online streaming and serialized dramas in China. With platforms like iQiyi (爱奇艺), Tencent Video (腾讯视频), and Youku (优酷) releasing hundreds of C-dramas (`国产剧`), Korean dramas (`韩剧`), and American dramas (`美剧`) each year, viewers have more choices than ever before. This abundance has empowered the audience. 弃剧 (qìjù) is more than just a personal decision; it's a form of public feedback. On social media platforms like Weibo (微博) and review sites like Douban (豆瓣), mass announcements of `弃剧` can signal to producers that a show's plot, character development, or ending has failed to meet audience expectations. Comparison to Western Culture: The English phrase “to drop a show” is a perfect parallel in meaning and is common in online fan communities. However, the key difference is how 弃剧 (qìjù) has become a standardized, mainstream vocabulary word in China, used by people of all ages in everyday conversation. While an English speaker might say “I stopped watching that show,” or “I gave up on it,” the Chinese term `弃剧` is a single, universally understood concept. This highlights the central role that `追剧` (following shows) plays in modern Chinese leisure and social life.

弃剧 (qìjù) is an informal term used very frequently in casual contexts.

• On Social Media: This is the term's natural habitat. Users on Weibo or Douban will often post a short review explaining exactly why they decided to `弃剧`. For example: “这部剧的逻辑越来越差，我决定弃剧了。” (This show's logic is getting worse and worse, I've decided to drop it.)
• Among Friends: When discussing what shows you're watching, it's very common to use `弃剧`. It's a quick way to share your opinion on a show you didn't like.
• Connotation: The connotation is almost always neutral-to-negative. It expresses a sense of disappointment or dissatisfaction with the show itself. You don't `弃剧` a show you love; you `弃剧` a show that let you down.

• Example 1:
  • 看到第十集，我实在受不了了，果断弃剧。
  • Pinyin: Kàn dào dì shí jí, wǒ shízài shòu bu liǎo le, guǒduàn qìjù.
  • English: After watching the tenth episode, I really couldn't stand it anymore and decisively dropped the show.
  • Analysis: This example shows a clear reason and a firm decision. `果断 (guǒduàn)` means “decisively,” emphasizing the finality of the choice.
• Example 2:
  • 这部剧的男主角太讨厌了，很多观众都弃剧了。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù jù de nánzhǔjué tài tǎoyàn le, hěn duō guānzhòng dōu qìjù le.
  • English: The male lead in this drama is so annoying that many viewers have dropped the show.
  • Analysis: This shows how `弃剧` can be used to describe the actions of a group (`很多观众` - many viewers).
• Example 3:
  • 你为什么弃剧了？我以为你很喜欢它。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ wèishéme qìjù le? Wǒ yǐwéi nǐ hěn xǐhuān tā.
  • English: Why did you drop the show? I thought you really liked it.
  • Analysis: A perfect example of how to use the term in a question to a friend.
• Example 4:
  • 剧情越来越离谱，我真的有弃剧的冲动。
  • Pinyin: Jùqíng yuèláiyuè lípǔ, wǒ zhēnde yǒu qìjù de chōngdòng.
  • English: The plot is getting more and more ridiculous, I really have the urge to drop the show.
  • Analysis: `有…的冲动 (yǒu…de chōngdòng)` means “to have the urge/impulse to do…” This shows a state of being tempted to `弃剧` but not having done it yet.
• Example 5:
  • 我很少弃剧，但这一部实在是看不下去了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ hěn shǎo qìjù, dàn zhè yí bù shízài shì kàn bu xià qù le.
  • English: I rarely drop shows, but I really can't continue watching this one.
  • Analysis: `看不下去 (kàn bu xià qù)` is a common phrase meaning “can't continue watching,” and it's a perfect reason for `弃剧`.
• Example 6:
  • 如果接下来的剧情没有改善，我就要弃剧了。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ jiēxiàlái de jùqíng méiyǒu gǎishàn, wǒ jiù yào qìjù le.
  • English: If the plot doesn't improve soon, I'm going to drop the show.
  • Analysis: This is a conditional statement (`如果…就…`) expressing a future intention to `弃剧`.
• Example 7:
  • 听说这部剧后面会“烂尾”，所以很多人提前弃剧了。
  • Pinyin: Tīngshuō zhè bù jù hòumiàn huì “lànwěi”, suǒyǐ hěn duō rén tíqián qìjù le.
  • English: I heard this show has a “rotten ending,” so a lot of people dropped it in advance.
  • Analysis: This connects `弃剧` directly to the related concept of `烂尾 (lànwěi)`, a terrible ending.
• Example 8:
  • A: 你还在追那部历史剧吗？ (Nǐ hái zài zhuī nà bù lìshǐjù ma?) - Are you still following that historical drama?
  • B: 早就弃剧了，节奏太慢了。 (Zǎo jiù qìjù le, jiézòu tài màn le.) - I dropped it a long time ago, the pacing was too slow.
  • Analysis: A common conversational exchange, contrasting `追(剧)` (to follow/chase a show) with `弃剧`.
• Example 9:
  • 我本来想弃剧，但最新一集太精彩了，我又想继续追了！
  • Pinyin: Wǒ běnlái xiǎng qìjù, dàn zuìxīn yī jí tài jīngcǎi le, wǒ yòu xiǎng jìxù zhuī le!
  • English: I was originally going to drop the show, but the latest episode was so brilliant, now I want to continue following it again!
  • Analysis: This shows a change of heart, highlighting the constant battle between `弃剧` and `追剧`.
• Example 10:
  • 这部剧是我的“下饭剧”，不管多无聊我都不会弃剧的。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù jù shì wǒ de “xiàfànjù”, bùguǎn duō wúliáo wǒ dōu bú huì qìjù de.
  • English: This show is my “mealtime show,” no matter how boring it gets, I won't drop it.
  • Analysis: This introduces another slang term, `下饭剧 (xiàfànjù)`, a show you watch casually while eating. The low investment means you're unlikely to `弃剧`.

• `弃剧` vs. Missing an Episode: A common mistake is to confuse `弃剧` with temporarily falling behind. `弃剧` means you have given up for good. If you just missed the latest episode, you would say `我错过了最新一集 (Wǒ cuòguò le zuìxīn yī jí)`.
• For Series Only: You can only `弃剧` a series (`剧`). You cannot `弃剧` a standalone movie (`电影 diànyǐng`). The action of walking out of a movie theatre because it's bad has no single, common slang term like this.
• `弃剧` vs. `不看了 (bú kàn le)`: `不看了` simply means “I'm not watching it anymore.” It's a general statement. 弃剧 is more specific, more modern, and carries a stronger flavor of fan culture and the specific act of abandoning a *serialized drama* due to disappointment.

• 追剧 (zhuījù) - “To chase a drama.” The direct antonym of `弃剧`, meaning to actively and eagerly follow a series as it airs.
• 刷剧 (shuājù) - “To brush/swipe a drama.” The Chinese term for binge-watching an entire series in a short period.
• 烂尾 (lànwěi) - “Rotten tail/ending.” Describes a show that started well but had a terrible or rushed ending. This is one of the most common reasons for people to `弃剧`.
• 剧透 (jùtòu) - “Drama reveal.” A spoiler. A major taboo in any `追剧` community.
• 下饭剧 (xiàfànjù) - “Mealtime drama.” A light, easy-to-watch show that doesn't require much attention, perfect for watching while eating.
• 网剧 (wǎngjù) - “Web drama.” A series produced for and released on an internet streaming platform.
• 美剧 (Měijù) - An American TV series/drama.
• 韩剧 (Hánjù) - A Korean TV series/drama (K-drama).
• 日剧 (Rìjù) - A Japanese TV series/drama (J-drama).