Definitions
(verb)
to stop; to halt
(adverb)
until; only
Etymology
Pictograph of a foot. The meaning of this character has shifted over time and now means "stop".
About
The character "止" originated from a pictographic representation of a foot, initially conveying the concrete idea of a foot coming to rest. Its early meaning, associated with the foot and the action of stopping, evolved to emphasize the abstract concept of cessation, resulting in its modern primary meanings of "to stop", "to prohibit", or functioning as a limitative particle meaning "only". In contemporary structure, it exists as an independent character and also acts as a semantic component in compounds like "步" (step) and "正" (correct), where it often conveys notions related to foot movement or positioning. Over time, its graphical form was stylized from a more detailed depiction into the current simplified configuration, while its semantic range narrowed to focus on halting or restraint.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
比赛停止了。
这里禁止吸烟。
他止住了哭声。
疼痛逐渐止住了。
学习永无止境。
他的行为止于礼貌。
政府必须制止犯罪。
这种药能有效止咳。