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止 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
止
zhǐ
to stop
HSK 5, zg, 4 strokes, radical 止, rank #2728, Hard
止
zhǐ
to prohibit
HSK 5, zg, 4 strokes, radical 止, rank #2728, Hard
止
zhǐ
until
HSK 5, zg, 4 strokes, radical 止, rank #2728, Hard
止
zhǐ
only
HSK 5, zg, 4 strokes, radical 止, rank #2728, Hard
止
zhǐ
to stop, to halt; to detain; to desist
HSK 5, zg, 4 strokes, radical 止, rank #2728, Hard
zhǐ(zhi3)zhi T3
1to stop
2to prohibit
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March 24, 2026
止zhǐ(zhi3)
The character 止 (zhǐ) means 'to stop' or 'to halt'. It is commonly used in contexts where an action is being ceased or prohibited. Additionally, it can imply limits or restrictions, as in 'until' or 'only'.
Strokes4Radical止Frequency#2728DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of stopping or halting aligns with the idea of balance and moderation, where excessive actions are often discouraged. The character is also found in legal contexts, emphasizing prohibition.
Memory tip
Imagine a foot (the radical 止) that suddenly stops moving on a path. The foot symbolizes the action of stopping, and you can remember the sound 'zhǐ' by thinking of a 'z' in 'zip' that closes off movement.
Meanings of 止
zhǐ(zhi3)
1to stop
2to prohibit
Exercise 1 of 3
By ear
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About 止
止Simplified
4Strokes
止Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#2728Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
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Podcast: 止
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AI study notes for 止
Quick Contrast
止 (zhǐ) vs 停 (tíng) — use 止 when emphasizing a prohibition or limit, while 停 focuses more on the act of stopping an action.
Usage Notes
This character is often used in formal contexts, especially in commands or regulations. A common mistake is using it in informal speech where a more casual term might be appropriate. Be careful with the tone, as the third tone (zhǐ) is crucial for correct pronunciation.
HSK Study Tips
While 止 is not included in the standard HSK vocabulary lists, it shares roots with many compound words at HSK level 3 and above, like 禁止 (jìnzhǐ, 'to prohibit'). Focus on recognizing it in context and understanding its role in forming phrases.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 止 with the similar-sounding characters like 支 (zhī, 'to support'). For instance, saying '我支持这个 (wǒ zhīchí zhège)' instead of '我停止这个 (wǒ tíngzhǐ zhège)' can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 止
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The character 止 (zhǐ) means 'to stop' or 'to halt'. It is commonly used in contexts where an action is being ceased or prohibited. Additionally, it can imply limits or restrictions, as in 'until' or 'only'.
When to use 止
This character is often used in formal contexts, especially in commands or regulations. A common mistake is using it in informal speech where a more casual term might be appropriate. Be careful with the tone, as the third tone (zhǐ) is crucial for correct pronunciation.
止 or something close to it
止 (zhǐ) vs 停 (tíng) — use 止 when emphasizing a prohibition or limit, while 停 focuses more on the act of stopping an action.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 止 with the similar-sounding characters like 支 (zhī, 'to support'). For instance, saying '我支持这个 (wǒ zhīchí zhège)' instead of '我停止这个 (wǒ tíngzhǐ zhège)' can lead to misunderstandings.
Write 止
止
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Practice writing 止 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 止
止 carries 5 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Dāng bàofēngyǔ láilín shí, gōngrén men bèi pò zhǐzhǐ gōngzuò.
When the storm approached, the workers were forced to stop working.
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Cultural Notes for 止
💡Did you know?
The character 止 (zhǐ) is derived from the pictogram of a foot, symbolizing the act of stopping or standing still. This connection to movement and pause is common in many cultures where physical actions represent deeper meanings.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western culture, 'stop' signs are universally recognized symbols for halting movement, much like the use of 止 in Chinese to indicate prohibition or a stop to action. Both languages reflect the importance of safety and caution.
Word Family of 止
Compounds36
走zǒuto walk
此cǐthis
肯kěnold variant of 肯[kěn]
步bùsurname Bu
足jùexcessive
武wǔsurname Wu
扯chěto pull
址zhǐlocation
企qǐto plan a project
耻chǐshame
歧qídivergent
趾zhǐtoe; tracks, footprints
祉zhǐblessings, happiness, good luck
歩bù
芷zhǐan angelica herb
歨bùOld variant of 步
歮sè
歯chǐ
歰sèto argue, to disagree, to wrangle
歳suì
沚zhǐ
辵chuòto walk; walking
阯zhǐ
凪zhǐ
杫sì
歫jù
歬qián
歭chí
歱zhǒng
歲suìyear; years old, age; harvest
歴lì
歵zé
歷lìhistory; calendar
砋zhǐ
訨zhǐ
頉yí
Words containing this character20
阻止zǔzhǐto prevent
停止tíngzhǐto stop
为止wéizhǐuntil為止
防止fángzhǐto prevent
禁止jìnzhǐto prohibit
止zhǐto stop
不止bùzhǐincessantly
截止jiézhǐto close
制止zhìzhǐto curb
终止zhōngzhǐto stop終止
到此为止dàocǐwéizhǐto end here到此為止
举止jǔzhǐbearing舉止
中止zhōngzhǐto cease
止血zhǐxuèto staunch (bleeding)
静止jìngzhǐstill靜止
止痛药zhǐtòngyàopainkiller止痛藥
止痛zhǐtòngto relieve pain
止步zhǐbùto halt
止咳zhǐkéto suppress coughing
迄今为止qìjīnwéizhǐso far迄今為止
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 止
What does 走 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 止
Common phrases that include 止 (zhǐ) are '止步' (zhǐbù), meaning 'to stop', and '止痛' (zhǐtòng), which means 'to alleviate pain'. These phrases highlight the character's meanings related to stopping or restriction.
止 (zhǐ) can be used in various contexts such as formal prohibitions or in everyday language to indicate stopping an action. For example, in legal terms, you might see it in signs that say '禁止进入' (jìnzhǐ jìnrù), meaning 'No entry'.
止 (zhǐ) means 'to stop' or 'to prohibit'. It can also imply a sense of limitation, such as 'only' or 'until'. The character is used in various contexts to indicate halting an action or restricting something.
You can use 止 (zhǐ) in sentences such as '他停止了工作' (Tā tíngzhǐ le gōngzuò), which means 'He stopped working'. It can also be used to mean prohibition, as in '禁止吸烟' (jìnzhǐ xīyān), meaning 'No smoking'.
You can use 止 in a sentence like '请停止 (qǐng tíngzhǐ)' which means 'Please stop.'
Yes, but it is more common in formal or written contexts. In casual speech, people might use 休 (xiū) to indicate a break or pause.
Characters like 禁 (jìn, 'to prohibit') and 停 (tíng, 'to stop') are closely related and often used in conjunction.
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