Definition
停止 (tíng zhǐ) is the general, neutral verb for 'to stop' — used for actions, processes, or events (e.g., rain, talking, a competition). It is more formal and complete than 停 (tíng), which also covers parking a vehicle or a brief pause; 止 (zhǐ) is a literary, bound form rarely used alone. For temporary pauses, use 停顿 (tíng dùn).
verb
to stopto haltto cease
Easily confused
- 何止hé zhǐlook-alikefar more than; not just; not only (rhetorical or negative context)
- 停滞tíng zhìsound-aliketo stagnate, to be at a standstill, to bog down
Examples
- 停止。Dà fēng zhōngyú tíng zhǐ le.The strong wind finally stopped.
- 停止，。Tā tíng zhǐ le shuōhuà, kànzhe wǒ.He stopped talking and looked at me.
- 停止。Bǐsài yǐjīng tíng zhǐ le.The competition has already stopped.
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