Chinese word

止步

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhǐ bù

Meaning

  • verbstop

Example

他看到前面危险，马上止步。tā kàn dào qián miàn wēi xiǎn mǎ shàng zhǐ bù

He saw danger ahead and stopped immediately.

Illustration for 止步 (stop)

More examples

面对挑战，我们不能止步。miàn duì tiǎo zhàn wǒ men bù néng zhǐ bù

Facing challenges, we must not stop.

Core concept

A person or movement comes to a complete stop before crossing a boundary or going farther.

Common phrases

  • 止步不前zhǐ bù bù qián

    stop moving forward

  • 止步于此zhǐ bù yú cǐ

    stop here

  • 不得不止步bù dé bù zhǐ bù

    have to stop

Similar words

停止tíng zhǐ: Bring ongoing movement, work, or activity to an end.
停顿tíng dùn: Interrupt an action or speech for a short time.
停住tíng zhù: Stop moving and stay where one is.
站住zhàn zhù: Remain standing in one spot without changing position.

Definition in Chinese

表示停止前进或要求别人不要继续靠近，常见于告示或书面语，也可作一般动作的停止用法。biǎo shì tíng zhǐ qián jìn huò yāo qiú bié rén bú yào jì xù kào jìn cháng jiàn yú gào shì huò shū miàn yǔ yě kě zuò yì bān dòng zuò de tíng zhǐ yòng fǎ

Word origin

止步 (zhǐbù, "stop walking") combines 止 (zhǐ, "stop") + 步 (bù, "step"), so its literal structure presents stopping as ending one's steps.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, this word often sounds like wording from a sign or formal notice rather than a casual request, so context helps identify the intended command.

Other meanings

  • haltverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 止步不前zhǐ bù bù qiánstop moving forwardidiom

Word lists with this word