'割让' (gē ràng) is a formal verb meaning 'to cede' — specifically, to formally surrender territory, sovereignty, or rights to another country or authority, usually through a treaty or diplomatic agreement. The character 割 (gē) means 'to cut' or 'to sever', evoking the idea of physically separating land; 让 (ràng) means 'to yield', 'to give up', or 'to relinquish'. Together, they convey the deliberate, often involuntary, act of cutting away and handing over part of one's domain.

This term appears almost exclusively in historical, political, or legal contexts — for example, when describing territorial losses after wars or unequal treaties. It carries strong connotations of national loss, injustice, or geopolitical pressure, and is rarely used for personal or everyday transfers. Because of its gravity and formality, it does not collocate with casual subjects like individuals or companies; the subject is typically a state, government, or sovereign entity.