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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
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 止
止Simplified
4Strokes
止Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#2728Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 止
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.
Memory Mnemonic
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.
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.
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.
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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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.
I lay the painting flat to stop the wet paint running.
2
我认为你应该暂时停止踢足球。
wǒ rèn wéi nǐ yīng gāi zàn shí tíng zhǐ tī zú qiú。
I think you ought to give football a rest for a time.
3
你一直穿你的旧衣服，直到穿烂了为止吗？
nǐ yī zhí chuān nǐ de jiù yī fú， ， zhí dào chuān làn le wéi zhǐ？
Do you wear your old clothes until they fall to pieces?
4
你得把番茄烤到皮变黑为止。
nǐ dé bǎ fān qié kǎo dào pí biàn hēi wéi zhǐ。
You need to grill the tomatoes until the skins blacken.
5
你怎样防止它再次发生？
nǐ zěn yàng fáng zhǐ tā zài cì fā shēng？
What can you do to keep it from happening again?
6
到目前为止，经济是头等大事。
dào mù qián wéi zhǐ， ， jīng jì shì tóu děng dà。
The economy is the number one issue by far.
7
纪律的目的是教育儿童举止得体。
jì lǜ de mù de shì jiào yù ér tóng jǔ zhǐ dé tǐ。
The aim of discipline is to teach children to behave acceptably.
8
他的目的是使空间站项目全面停止。
tā de mù de shì shǐ kōng jiān zhàn xiàng mù quán miàn tíng zhǐ。
His objective was to kill the space station project altogether.
9
既然出售香烟是合法的，那么禁止做香烟广告就是违宪的。
jì rán chū shòu xiāng yān shì hé fǎ de， ， nà mó jīn zhǐ zuò xiāng yān guǎng gào jiù shì wéi xiàn。
Banning cigarette advertising would be unconstitutional, since selling cigarettes is legal.
10
别问问题了！你应该知道什么时候该适可而止。
bié wèn wèn tí le！ ！ nǐ yīng gāi zhī dào shí mó shí hòu gāi shì kě ér。
Stop asking questions! You should know when enough is enough.
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.
🏮Cultural insight
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.
🌏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zou3to walk
此ci3this
肯ken3old variant of 肯[kěn]
步Bu4surname Bu
足ju4excessive
武Wu3surname Wu
扯che3to pull
址zhi3location
企qi3to plan a project
耻chi3shame
歧qi2divergent
趾zhi3toe; tracks, footprints
祉zhi3blessings, happiness, good luck
歩
芷zhi3an angelica herb
歨bu4Old variant of 步
歮
歯
歰se4to argue, to disagree, to wrangle
歳
沚
辵chuo4to walk; walking
阯
凪
杫
歫
歬
歭
歱
歲sui4year; years old, age; harvest
歴
歵
歷li4history; calendar
砋
訨
頉
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to 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painkiller止痛藥
止痛to 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
Compound Meaning
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.
