罷

A compound ideograph consisting of:

网 (net) — semantic component;

能 (ability; capable) — semantic and phonetic contributor.

The traditional explanation understands the character as expressing the idea of being entangled or restrained (net) and losing the ability (能) to continue — hence “to stop” or “to cease.”

Over time, the meaning developed into administrative usage: ending someone’s office or dismissing an official.

파면 (罷免) — dismissal from office

파직 (罷職) — removal from post

파업 (罷業) — strike (collective work stoppage)

파군 (罷軍) — to disband troops

The original imagery of entanglement (网) suggests being “caught” or restrained, metaphorically leading to cessation.

In East Asian legal vocabulary, 罷 is strongly associated with official dismissal.

罷 differs from related characters:

止 — to stop (general halt)

終 — to end (completion)

廢 — to abolish (institutional destruction)

免 — to excuse or exempt

While 止 simply means “to stop,” and 終 implies natural completion, 罷 often implies deliberate cessation or official termination.

In political or legal contexts, it carries a strong institutional nuance.

Classical citations:

《史記》 (Records of the Grand Historian)

「罷兵息民」

“To cease military action and give rest to the people.”

《漢書》 (Book of Han)

「罷黜百家」

“To dismiss the various schools.”

Refers to the policy of favoring Confucianism while suppressing other philosophies.

These examples show its administrative and political connotation in early imperial China.