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制止 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
制止zhìzhǐto curbHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, rank #6272, Very Hard
制止zhìzhǐto put a stop toHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, rank #6272, Very Hard
制止zhìzhǐto stopHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, rank #6272, Very Hard
制止zhìzhǐto checkHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, rank #6272, Very Hard
制止zhìzhǐto limitHSK 7, v, 12 strokes, rank #6272, Very Hard
zhìzhǐ(zhi4zhi3)zhi zhi T4
  1. 1to curb
  2. 2to put a stop to
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March 24, 2026

制止zhìzhǐ(zhi4zhi3)

制止 (zhì zhǐ) means to curb or put a stop to something, often referring to actions or behaviors that are undesirable or harmful. It is commonly used in contexts involving control or intervention, such as stopping violence, halting negative trends, or limiting certain actions.

Strokes12Frequency#6272DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese society, the concept of 制止 is often linked to the government's role in maintaining social order, reflecting a collective approach to issues like crime and public safety, where community welfare is prioritized over individual freedoms.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'stop sign' (制) being held up by a 'person' (止) who is curbing a speeding car. The character 制 (zhì) looks like a sign, while 止 (zhǐ) resembles a person stopping something. Together, they form the idea of putting a stop to something moving too fast.

Meanings of 制止

zhìzhǐ(zhi4zhi3)
1to curb
2to put a stop to
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 制止

制止Simplified
12Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#6272Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 制止

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Podcast: 制止

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AI Study Notes for 制止

Quick Contrast

阻止 (zǔzhǐ) - use 制止 when emphasizing the act of curbing or preventing undesirable actions, while 阻止 focuses more on physically stopping or obstructing something.

Usage Notes

Be careful to use 制止 in contexts where intervention is appropriate, as it can imply a more authoritative action. It is often used in formal situations, such as government or organizational policies, so be cautious in casual conversations. A common collocation is 制止犯罪 (zhì zhǐ fàn zuì), meaning to curb crime.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 制止 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to governance and social behavior. Focus on its usage in formal writing or discussions about policies, as well as its nuances in different contexts of intervention.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 制止 with 停止 (tíng zhǐ), thinking they are interchangeable. However, 制止 implies an active intervention, while 停止 is simply to stop without the connotation of intervention. For example, saying '我制止他停止' (wǒ zhì zhǐ tā tíng zhǐ) is incorrect; it should be '我制止他' (wǒ zhì zhǐ tā) to mean 'I stopped him.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 制止

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Component Characters

制zhìsystem
HSK 68 strokes刂
View full entry
止zhǐto stop
HSK 54 strokes止
View full entry

How to say to curb in Chinese

“to curb” in Chinese is制止zhìzhǐ

制止 (zhì zhǐ) means to curb or put a stop to something, often referring to actions or behaviors that are undesirable or harmful. It is commonly used in contexts involving control or intervention, such as stopping violence, halting negative trends, or limiting certain actions.

When to use 制止

Be careful to use 制止 in contexts where intervention is appropriate, as it can imply a more authoritative action. It is often used in formal situations, such as government or organizational policies, so be cautious in casual conversations. A common collocation is 制止犯罪 (zhì zhǐ fàn zuì), meaning to curb crime.

制止 or something close to it

阻止 (zǔzhǐ) - use 制止 when emphasizing the act of curbing or preventing undesirable actions, while 阻止 focuses more on physically stopping or obstructing something.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes confuse 制止 with 停止 (tíng zhǐ), thinking they are interchangeable. However, 制止 implies an active intervention, while 停止 is simply to stop without the connotation of intervention. For example, saying '我制止他停止' (wǒ zhì zhǐ tā tíng zhǐ) is incorrect; it should be '我制止他' (wǒ zhì zhǐ tā) to mean 'I stopped him.'

Write 制止

制
止

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Grammar Patterns of 制止

制止 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 5 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.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill the gap

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

当他试着说情时很快被____了.

He was quickly snubbed when he tried to intercede.

Example Sentences for 制止 (1)

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1
当他试着说情时很快被制止了.

dāng tā shì zháo shuō qíng shí hěn kuài bèi zhì zhǐ le.

He was quickly snubbed when he tried to intercede.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 制止

Synonyms include 停止 (tíng zhǐ) meaning to stop, and 阻止 (zǔ zhǐ) meaning to prevent.

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