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中止 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
中止zhōngzhǐto ceaseHSK 7, unknown, 8 strokes, rank #6989, Very Hard
中止zhōngzhǐto suspendHSK 7, unknown, 8 strokes, rank #6989, Very Hard
中止zhōngzhǐto break offHSK 7, unknown, 8 strokes, rank #6989, Very Hard
中止zhōngzhǐto stopHSK 7, unknown, 8 strokes, rank #6989, Very Hard
中止zhōngzhǐto discontinueHSK 7, unknown, 8 strokes, rank #6989, Very Hard
zhōngzhǐ(zhong1zhi3)zhong zhi T1
  1. 1to cease
  2. 2to suspend
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March 24, 2026

中止zhōngzhǐ(zhong1zhi3)

中止 (zhōngzhǐ) means to cease or suspend an activity or process. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as legal, business, or bureaucratic scenarios, indicating a temporary or permanent halt. The nuance suggests a deliberate decision to stop rather than an accidental interruption.

Strokes8Frequency#6989DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese business culture, 中止 is often used in formal agreements and contracts, highlighting the importance of clear communication and documentation when deciding to halt a business operation or partnership.

Memory tip

Think of 中 (middle) as the midpoint of an action, and 止 (stop) as a stop sign. Together, 中止 can be imagined as reaching the halfway point in a journey and deciding to put up a stop sign, signaling that it's time to pause or discontinue the journey.

Meanings of 中止

zhōngzhǐ(zhong1zhi3)
1to cease
2to suspend
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About 中止

中止Simplified
8Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 中止

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AI study notes for 中止

Quick Contrast

中断 (zhōngduàn) vs 中止 (zhōngzhǐ): Use 中断 when referring to an interruption that may not be intentional or planned, while 中止 implies a deliberate decision to stop.

Usage Notes

中止 is often used in formal writing or speech, so it's best to avoid it in casual conversations. Common collocations include '中止合同' (suspend a contract) and '中止会议' (halt a meeting). Be careful with pronunciation; the first tone and the third tone can be tricky for non-native speakers.

HSK Study Tips

While 中止 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, its components are relevant for HSK learners. Understanding 中 (middle) and 止 (stop) can help learners decode other words related to cessation or interruption. Focus on recognizing these characters and their meanings in various contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 中止 with 停止, thinking they are interchangeable. However, 中止 is more formal and should be reserved for official contexts, while 停止 can be used more casually. For example, saying '我们中止这个活动' (We will stop this activity) would sound too formal in casual conversation; '我们停止这个活动' would be more appropriate.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 中止

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Component characters

中zhōngmiddle
HSK 34 strokes丨
View full entry
止zhǐto stop
HSK 54 strokes止
View full entry

How to say to cease in Chinese

“to cease” in Chinese is中止zhōngzhǐ

中止 (zhōngzhǐ) means to cease or suspend an activity or process. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as legal, business, or bureaucratic scenarios, indicating a temporary or permanent halt. The nuance suggests a deliberate decision to stop rather than an accidental interruption.

When to use 中止

中止 is often used in formal writing or speech, so it's best to avoid it in casual conversations. Common collocations include '中止合同' (suspend a contract) and '中止会议' (halt a meeting). Be careful with pronunciation; the first tone and the third tone can be tricky for non-native speakers.

中止 or something close to it

中断 (zhōngduàn) vs 中止 (zhōngzhǐ): Use 中断 when referring to an interruption that may not be intentional or planned, while 中止 implies a deliberate decision to stop.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 中止 with 停止, thinking they are interchangeable. However, 中止 is more formal and should be reserved for official contexts, while 停止 can be used more casually. For example, saying '我们中止这个活动' (We will stop this activity) would sound too formal in casual conversation; '我们停止这个活动' would be more appropriate.

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中
止

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Frequently asked questions about 中止

While both mean 'to stop,' 中止 often implies a more formal or scheduled cessation, whereas 停止 is more general and can refer to a sudden stop.

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