Meaning:
“断” means “refusal,” “舍” means “disposal” and “离” means “separation.” First proposed by Japanese author Yamashita Eiko, the term “danshari” was chosen as a buzzword of Japanese in 2010. Since year 2000, Yamashita started a movement of decluttering that has evolved to incorporate psychological and even religious dimensions. It suggests getting rid of mental as well as physical junk. A popular term among Chinese netizens now, the central idea is to ditch materialism for a simple life.
Example:
A: 这么一大包衣服，你要捐出去？
Zhème yīdàbāo yīfú, nǐ yào juān chūqù?
Are you giving away such a big bag of clothes?
B: 是啊，现在不是提倡断舍离吗，反正我也用不着了。
Shì a, xiànzài bùshì tíchàng duànshělí ma, fǎnzhèng wǒ yě yòngbùzháo le。
Yeah, isn’t it the trend to ditch materialism for a simple life? I don’t need them now, any way.
(First editor: Debra Li)