止息 (zhǐ xī) — to cease, to stop (formal, of activities, noise, or conflict)

Definition

A formal/literary verb meaning 'to cease, to stop' (activities, noise, conflict). Far more written than everyday 停 or 停止, and stronger — it implies something finally coming to an end.

verb
to ceaseto stop (formal, of activities, noise, or conflict)

Examples

  • 止息。
    Dà fēng jiàn jiàn zhǐ xī le.
    The strong wind gradually ceased.
  • 止息。
    Zhàn zhēng zhōng yú zhǐ xī le.
    The war finally stopped.
  • 止息。
    Tā men de tán huà shēng zhōng yú zhǐ xī le.
    Their talking finally ceased.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

止zhǐstop
息xīcease

止 (stop) and 息 (cease) reinforce each other to mean to stop.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

止 was drawn as a footprint pointing up, with three toes and a sole, originally showing a foot.

Open 止 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

In 息, 自 is nose and 心 is heart, showing breath or life passing through one's nose.

Open 息 →

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