TongTong
Sign in

止步 (zhǐ bù) — to stop (walking/advancing); to halt; to go no further

Definition

A formal written verb meaning 'to halt, go no further' — often used on signs (前方施工，请止步) or for figurative limits. More literary than 停止; 驻足 is specifically about stopping to look or admire.

verb
to stop (walking/advancing)to haltto go no further

Examples

  • ，止步。
    Qián fāng shī gōng, qǐng zhǐ bù.
    Construction ahead, please stop.
  • 止步。
    Tā zài shì yè shàng cóng bù zhǐ bù.
    He never stops in his career-wise stops.
  • ，止步。
    Wēi xiǎn qū yù, yóu kè zhǐ bù.
    Danger zone, tourists stop.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

止zhǐstop
步bùstep

止步 pairs 止 (stop) with 步 (step), so it means to stop one's steps.

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.

步 uses two 止 (foot) forms, one reversed, to show one foot stepping in front of the other.

Open 步 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Change & Process

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.