阻挡 (zǔ dǎng) — to block, to obstruct, to hinder | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

阻挡 is a formal verb meaning 'to block/obstruct', often an external force halting progress (view, justice, enemy). It is more formal and broader than 挡 ('block/get in the way'), and stronger than 妨碍 ('hinder/interfere with', a milder disruption).

verb

to blockto obstructto hinder

Examples

阻挡。
Gāo shān zǔ dǎng le wǒ men de shì xiàn.
The high mountains blocked our view.
阻挡。
Fǎ lǜ bù néng zǔ dǎng zhèng yì de dào lái.
The law cannot hinder the arrival of justice.
阻挡。
Rèn hé kùn nan dōu wú fǎ zǔ dǎng wǒ men.
No difficulty can stop us.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

阻 and 挡 both mean to block or stop, so together they express resisting or obstructing.

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.

阝且阻

Meaning part形符xíngfú

阝Written in full as阜fù

Sound part声符shēngfú

且

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.

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 擋; 挡 is its simplified writing.

扌當擋

Meaning part形符xíngfú

扌Written in full as手shǒuhand

Sound part声符shēngfú

當

當dāng擋dǎng

Same sound today

The traditional form 擋 pairs 扌 (hand) with 當 as the sound part; this note is about 擋, not about the parts of 挡.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 6 Safety & Danger

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