En 15 secondes
- Literally means to hit the brakes in a vehicle.
- Metaphorically means to stop an action or behavior immediately.
- Commonly used for dieting, spending, or stopping heated arguments.
Signification
It literally means hitting the brakes on a car, but people use it to mean stopping an action or a conversation immediately before things go too far.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Driving with a friend
前面有红灯，快刹车！
There's a red light ahead, brake quickly!
Shopping too much
我不能再买了，得赶紧刹车。
I can't buy anymore; I need to stop (brake) now.
In a heated meeting
这个问题我们先刹个车，以后再讨论。
Let's put the brakes on this issue and discuss it later.
Contexte culturel
While it originated from mechanical transport, 'shā chē' became a popular slang term for self-restraint during the economic boom. It's often used in business to describe halting a failing project or in social media to stop a 'flame war'. It highlights the modern Chinese focus on efficiency and knowing when to cut losses.
The 'Can't Stop' Phrase
If you want to sound like a native, use `刹不住车` (shā bú zhù chē) when you're addicted to a TV show or snack.
Don't use for people
Never say `刹车` to a person walking toward you to make them stop; it sounds like you think they are a truck!
En 15 secondes
- Literally means to hit the brakes in a vehicle.
- Metaphorically means to stop an action or behavior immediately.
- Commonly used for dieting, spending, or stopping heated arguments.
What It Means
At its heart, 刹车 is about stopping. You use it when you are driving a car or riding a bike. But in daily life, it is a powerful metaphor. It means putting an end to a behavior. It is that moment you decide to stop eating. Or the moment you stop a heated argument. It is the 'emergency stop' button for life's situations.
How To Use It
You can use it as a simple verb. If you are driving, just say 快刹车!. In a conversation, you use it to stop a trend. For example, if you are spending too much money, you need to 刹车. It works well when you feel things are getting out of control. It is short, sharp, and very effective.
When To Use It
Use it when someone is talking too much. Use it when a joke goes a bit too far. It is perfect for budgeting or dieting contexts. If you are shopping and your friend keeps adding items to the cart, tell them to 刹车. It is also great for project management. If a plan is heading for a disaster, call for a 刹车.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for permanent endings like a breakup. It is usually for a specific action or a temporary pause. Don't use it in very formal academic writing. It feels a bit too physical and direct for a thesis. Also, avoid using it for 'stopping' a person from walking. That would be 站住 or 停下.
Cultural Background
China has seen a massive explosion in car ownership recently. Because of this, driving metaphors are everywhere in the modern language. 刹车 has become a symbol of self-control. In a fast-paced society, knowing when to stop is a respected skill. It reflects the traditional value of 'moderation' but uses modern, mechanical vocabulary.
Common Variations
You will often hear 急刹车. This means a sudden, emergency brake. Another common one is 刹不住. This means you can't stop yourself. Like when you start eating potato chips and finish the whole bag. We also say 刹车片 for brake pads, but that is only for mechanics!
Notes d'usage
It is a neutral phrase suitable for most daily situations. It becomes informal when used metaphorically for habits like eating or talking.
The 'Can't Stop' Phrase
If you want to sound like a native, use `刹不住车` (shā bú zhù chē) when you're addicted to a TV show or snack.
Don't use for people
Never say `刹车` to a person walking toward you to make them stop; it sounds like you think they are a truck!
Business 'Braking'
In Chinese business culture, suggesting a `刹车` is a polite way to say a strategy is failing without blaming anyone directly.
Exemples
6前面有红灯，快刹车！
There's a red light ahead, brake quickly!
This is the literal, physical use of the phrase.
我不能再买了，得赶紧刹车。
I can't buy anymore; I need to stop (brake) now.
Using the metaphor for spending habits.
这个问题我们先刹个车，以后再讨论。
Let's put the brakes on this issue and discuss it later.
A professional way to pause a sensitive topic.
薯片太好吃了，我根本刹不住车！
These chips are so good, I simply can't stop!
Using 'shā bú zhù' to show a lack of self-control.
八卦到此为止，快刹车吧。
End the gossip here; hit the brakes.
Telling someone to stop talking about a specific topic.
如果我们现在不刹车，损失会更大。
If we don't stop now, the losses will be even greater.
Used to prevent further damage or emotional escalation.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct phrase to tell someone to stop spending money.
别买了！你的钱包需要___。
In this context, 'shā chē' metaphorically means to stop the action of spending.
How do you say you 'cannot stop' eating?
这蛋糕太甜了，但我___。
'shā bú zhù chē' is the standard way to say you are unable to stop an action.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of '刹车'
Talking to friends about eating or shopping.
快刹车，别吃了！
Standard driving or workplace context.
司机请刹车。
Official reports or news (rarely used, usually '停止').
政府要求项目刹车。
When to hit the 'Brakes'
Driving
Emergency stop at a light.
Dieting
Stopping after one cookie.
Spending
Closing the shopping app.
Arguing
Ending a fight before it gets mean.
Banque d exercices
2 exercices别买了！你的钱包需要___。
In this context, 'shā chē' metaphorically means to stop the action of spending.
这蛋糕太甜了，但我___。
'shā bú zhù chē' is the standard way to say you are unable to stop an action.
🎉 Score : /2
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes! It works for cars, bikes, electric scooters, or anything with wheels. You can say 我的自行车刹车坏了 (My bike brakes are broken).
It depends on your tone. If you say it jokingly while they are gossiping, it's fine. If you shout it, it sounds like a command.
停止 (tíngzhǐ) is a formal word for 'stop'. 刹车 is more vivid and implies stopping something that was already in motion or moving fast.
Yes. If you feel yourself getting too angry or too sad, you can say you need to 刹车 to regain control of your feelings.
The brake pedal is called 刹车踏板 (shāchē tàbǎn). In casual talk, people just say 踩刹车 (step on the brake).
The metaphor itself is quite 'slangy' when used outside of driving. 刹不住 is the most common slangy variation.
It's usually used for the *pace* of a relationship. If things are moving too fast, you might say 我们需要刹刹车 (We need to slow/stop a bit).
It means 'slamming on the brakes.' It's used for literal emergencies or when a company suddenly cancels a project.
It's both! As a verb, it's 'to brake.' As a noun, it refers to the brakes themselves, like 刹车灵不灵? (Are the brakes working?).
Not really. If a movie ends abruptly, you wouldn't use 刹车. You'd say the ending was 太突然 (too sudden).
Expressions liées
停下
To stop (general)
控制
To control
罢手
To give up/drop a matter
适可而止
Stop before going too far; know when is enough
