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阻止 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
阻止zǔzhǐto preventHSK 5, v, 11 strokes, rank #748, Hard
阻止zǔzhǐto blockHSK 5, v, 11 strokes, rank #748, Hard
zǔzhǐ(zu3zhi3)zu zhi T3
  1. 1to prevent
  2. 2to block
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March 24, 2026

阻止zǔzhǐ(zu3zhi3)

阻止 (zǔzhǐ) means to prevent or block something from happening. It is commonly used in situations where action is taken to stop an event or process, such as blocking a decision or preventing an accident. The nuance often implies an active effort to halt progress or movement.

Strokes11Frequency#748DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 阻止 is often linked to collective societal efforts, such as government regulations that aim to prevent negative occurrences like pollution or crime. This reflects a value placed on community welfare.

Memory Tip

Think of 阻 (zǔ) as a 'stop sign' and 止 (zhǐ) as 'to halt'. Together, they form a vivid image of halting movement, like a hand stopping something in its tracks, making it easier to remember both the meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 阻止

zǔzhǐ(zu3zhi3)
1to prevent
2to block
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 阻止

阻止Simplified
11Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#748Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 阻止

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Podcast: 阻止

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AI Study Notes for 阻止

Quick Contrast

阻止 (zǔzhǐ) vs 拦阻 (lánzǔ) — use 阻止 for preventing an event or process through active effort, while 拦阻 emphasizes physically blocking or stopping something.

Usage Notes

Be careful to use 阻止 in contexts where you are actively stopping something rather than just allowing it to happen. It is typically used in more formal registers, especially in written language. Common collocations include 阻止发展 (prevent development) and 阻止犯罪 (prevent crime).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 阻止 connects to other verbs and action-related vocabulary you may encounter at this level. Focus on using it in sentences to practice its application in context, such as in discussions about social issues or personal decisions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 阻止 with 允许 (yǔnxǔ), which means 'to allow'. For example, saying '我阻止他去' (I prevent him from going) is correct, while '我允许他去' (I block him from going) is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 阻止

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Component Characters

阻zǔto hinder
7 strokes阝
View full entry
止zhǐto stop
HSK 54 strokes止
View full entry

How to say to prevent in Chinese

“to prevent” in Chinese is阻止zǔzhǐ

阻止 (zǔzhǐ) means to prevent or block something from happening. It is commonly used in situations where action is taken to stop an event or process, such as blocking a decision or preventing an accident. The nuance often implies an active effort to halt progress or movement.

When to use 阻止

Be careful to use 阻止 in contexts where you are actively stopping something rather than just allowing it to happen. It is typically used in more formal registers, especially in written language. Common collocations include 阻止发展 (prevent development) and 阻止犯罪 (prevent crime).

阻止 or something close to it

阻止 (zǔzhǐ) vs 拦阻 (lánzǔ) — use 阻止 for preventing an event or process through active effort, while 拦阻 emphasizes physically blocking or stopping something.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 阻止 with 允许 (yǔnxǔ), which means 'to allow'. For example, saying '我阻止他去' (I prevent him from going) is correct, while '我允许他去' (I block him from going) is incorrect.

Write 阻止

阻
止

Practice writing 阻止 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 阻止

阻止 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons2
Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

机场地勤人员试图____这位飞行员驾机起飞。

The airport ground crew tried to dissuade the pilot from taking off.

Example Sentences for 阻止 (10)

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1
机场地勤人员试图阻止这位飞行员驾机起飞。

jī cháng dì qín rén yuán shì tú zǔ zhǐ zhè wèi fēi háng yuán jià jī qǐ fēi。

The airport ground crew tried to dissuade the pilot from taking off.
2
瑞士人想要阻止外资流入。

ruì shì rén xiǎng yào zǔ zhǐ wài zī liú rù。

The Swiss wanted to discourage an inflow of foreign money.
3
世界上只有一样东西可以阻止梦想实现，那就是害怕失败。

shì jiè shàng zhī yǒu yī yàng dōng xī kě yǐ zǔ zhǐ mèng xiǎng shí xiàn， ， nà jiù shì hài pà shī。

There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.--Paulo Coelho
4
批评的声音不会阻止人们涌到影院观看这部电影。

pī píng de shēng yīn bù huì zǔ zhǐ rén mén yǒng dào yǐng yuàn guān kàn zhè bù diàn yǐng。

The criticisms will not stop people flocking to see the film.
5
可能的话，他们会千方百计地阻止我。

kě néng de huà， ， tā mén huì qiān fāng bǎi jì dì zǔ zhǐ。

They would move heaven and earth to stop me if they could.
6
官员说他们会不惜一切地阻止再次发生暴乱。

guān yuán shuō tā mén huì bù xī yī qiē dì zǔ zhǐ zài cì fā shēng bào luàn。

Officials say they'll spare no expense to prevent another riot.
7
“现在阻止他已经太晚了，”哈里斯严肃地说道。

“ “ xiàn zài zǔ zhǐ tā yǐ jīng tài wǎn，” le ，” hā lǐ sī yán sù dì。

"It's too late now to stop him," Harris said grimly.
8
谁也阻止不了我们结婚.

shuí yě zǔ zhǐ bù le wǒ mén jié hūn.

Nobody can prevent our getting married.
9
谁也不想阻止你做那件事.

shuí yě bù xiǎng zǔ zhǐ nǐ zuò nà jiàn shì.

Nobody wants to hinder your doing that.
10
这些残酷的刑具是用来阻止犯人弯腿的。

zhè xiē cán kù de xíng jù shì yòng lái zǔ zhǐ fàn rén wān tuǐ de。

These cruel devices are designed to stop prisoners bending their legs.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 阻止

Yes, it can be used in everyday situations, especially when discussing plans or actions that you want to prevent.

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