阻 (zǔ) — (bound form) to block, to hinder, to obstruct
Definition
阻 (zǔ) is a bound form — it does not stand alone, only appearing in compounds like 阻止 ('prevent/stop'), 阻碍 ('hinder/obstruct'), and 阻力 ('resistance'). The meaning is 'to block or hold back'.
bound form
to blockto hinderto obstruct
Examples
- ，，。Yù dào kùn nan shí, bú yào fàng qì, yào kè fú yí qiè zǔ ài.When encountering difficulties, don't give up; overcome all obstacles.
- 。Zhèng fǔ cǎi qǔ le duō zhǒng cuò shī lái zǔ zhǐ wū rǎn.The government adopted various measures to prevent pollution.
- 。Kōng qì zǔ lì huì yǐng xiǎng fēi jī de sù dù.Air resistance affects the speed of aircraft.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost 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
阝Written in full as阜fù
Sound part声符shēngfú
且
且qiě阻zǔ
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
阻 is built from 阝 (written in full as 阜) on the left and 且 on the right, which gives the sound.
Appears in
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.