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到此为止 (dào cǐ wéi zhǐ) — (fixed expression) up to this point; so far; (fixed expression) let's stop here; that's enough

Definition

Literally 'up to here and stop,' used as a fixed phrase to mark a stopping point in a discussion or to summarize what has happened so far. Two senses: cutting off further talk, or summarizing up to now.

idiom
(fixed expression) up to this pointso far(fixed expression) let's stop herethat's enough

Examples

  • 到此为止，。
    Wǒ men jīn tiān dào cǐ wéi zhǐ ba, míng tiān jì xù.
    Let's stop here today and continue tomorrow.
  • 到此为止，。
    dào cǐ wéi zhǐ, Yí qiè dōu hěn shùn lì.
    So far, everything has gone smoothly.
  • 到此为止，。
    Shì qing jiù dào cǐ wéi zhǐ, bú yào zài tǎo lùn le.
    Let's leave it at that; let's not discuss it anymore.

Origin

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
至至zhìto arrive
Sound part声符shēngfú
刀
刀dāo到dào
Same sound today

到 combines 至, meaning 'to arrive', with 刀 as the sound part. The 至 part points to the idea of reaching a stopping point.

Open 到 →

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

此 shows 止 (feet) and 人 (person), drawing a person stopping, to mean 'this' or 'here.'

Open 此 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 為; 为 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 為 showed a hand holding an elephant; the simplified 为 is a later shorthand.

Open 为 →

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 →
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