Explanation at your level:
You use 制止 to say 'stop.' If a child is running, you say 'Stop!' That is 制止. It is a very simple way to keep people safe.
At this level, you use 制止 to talk about stopping bad behavior. For example, if someone is loud in the library, you want to 制止 the noise. It is a strong word for 'stop it now.'
Intermediate learners use 制止 for more complex situations. You might 制止 an argument between friends or 制止 a dangerous trend at work. It shows you are taking action to improve a situation.
At the B2 level, 制止 is used to describe formal intervention. You might read about the government 制止 inflation or a security guard 制止 a theft. It is about control and prevention.
Advanced users understand the nuance of 制止 as a form of authority. It is used in academic papers and formal reports to describe the suppression of negative phenomena. It implies a clear, decisive action taken to restore order.
Mastery of 制止 involves understanding its weight in literary and legal contexts. It is often used to describe the 'curbing' of abstract concepts like corruption or social unrest. It reflects a sophisticated command of how language can assert control over societal forces.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means to stop or prevent.
- Used for behavior and actions.
- Formal and serious tone.
- Requires an object.
Fun Fact
The character '止' is one of the oldest, representing a foot.
Pronunciation Guide
Falling tones
Sharp, decisive tones
Common Errors
- Mixing up tones
- Softening the second syllable
- Ignoring the fourth tone
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Common in news
Useful for formal essays
Useful for serious topics
Common in reports
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Transitive Verbs
制止 + Object
Fourth Tone
zhì zhǐ
Examples by Level
请制止他。
Please stop him.
Verb + object
老师制止了学生吵闹。
我们必须制止这种行为。
他试图制止这场争吵。
警察制止了小偷。
快制止他！
我们需要制止浪费。
请制止你的狗。
他无法制止哭泣。
政府采取措施制止通货膨胀。
我们需要制止这种恶性循环。
保安及时制止了骚乱。
他试图制止谣言的传播。
我们要制止污染环境的行为。
请制止这种不礼貌的举动。
法律旨在制止犯罪。
我们必须制止这种错误的决定。
公司正在努力制止亏损的扩大。
媒体应该制止虚假信息的扩散。
我们需要强有力的手段来制止暴力。
他成功制止了那场潜在的冲突。
社会各界呼吁制止这种不公。
必须采取行动制止这种破坏行为。
他被派去制止这场混乱。
我们无法完全制止时间的流逝。
当局已下令制止该地区的非法采矿。
我们必须从源头上制止这种腐败现象。
这项政策旨在制止人口外流。
他试图制止这种极端的民族主义情绪。
国际社会应联合起来制止战争。
我们需要更有效的机制来制止市场操纵。
这种行为必须立即制止。
他试图制止这种悲剧的发生。
通过立法，政府旨在制止垄断行为的蔓延。
我们必须制止这种对资源的肆意掠夺。
这种深层次的社会矛盾难以简单制止。
他以个人的名义制止了这场不公的审判。
必须从制度上制止权力的滥用。
这种文化侵蚀需要我们共同制止。
他试图制止历史重演。
我们必须制止这种道德的滑坡。
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"防微杜渐"
Stop errors before they grow
我们要防微杜渐，制止小错误。
formal"当机立断"
Decide quickly to stop something
他当机立断，制止了损失。
formal"釜底抽薪"
Remove the root cause
釜底抽薪是制止问题的最好方法。
formal"防患未然"
Prevent trouble before it happens
制止隐患，防患未然。
formal"斩草除根"
Destroy completely
他想斩草除根，制止祸患。
formal"悬崖勒马"
Stop before it's too late
他终于悬崖勒马，制止了错误。
formalEasily Confused
Both mean stop
停止 is intransitive, 制止 is transitive.
雨停止了 vs 我制止了他。
Both involve stopping
禁止 is to prohibit by rule.
禁止吸烟 vs 制止暴力。
Both involve physical action
阻拦 is physical blocking.
阻拦车辆 vs 制止行为。
Both mean to stop
抑制 is to restrain internal things.
抑制情绪 vs 制止犯罪。
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 制止 + Object
他制止了争吵。
Subject + 试图 + 制止 + Object
他试图制止错误。
Subject + 必须 + 制止 + Object
我们必须制止浪费。
Subject + 及时 + 制止 + Object
他及时制止了危险。
Subject + 采取措施 + 制止 + Object
政府采取措施制止了犯罪。
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
It is not an object, it is an action.
禁止 is for rules/laws.
It usually requires a human or active process.
制止 sounds very serious.
It is a transitive verb.
Tips
When Native Speakers Use It
When something is going wrong and needs immediate action.
Grammar Shortcut
Always follow it with an object.
Say It Right
Keep both tones sharp and falling.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it for inanimate objects like a machine.
Did You Know?
The character '止' is a foot!
Study Smart
Use it in sentences about social problems.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a 'Stop' sign made of iron (制).
Cultural Insight
Used often in news regarding public order.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'stop' sign (止) that you 'control' (制).
Visual Association
A traffic officer holding up a hand to stop traffic.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences about things you want to stop in the world.
Word Origin
Chinese
Original meaning: Cut off and stop
Cultural Context
None, standard vocabulary.
Used in formal contexts similar to 'curb' or 'suppress'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- 制止浪费
- 制止亏损
- 制止错误
Public safety
- 制止暴力
- 制止犯罪
- 制止骚乱
School
- 制止吵闹
- 制止霸凌
- 制止错误
News/Policy
- 制止通胀
- 制止污染
- 制止不公
Conversation Starters
"How can we制止 climate change?"
"What is the best way to制止 bullying?"
"Have you ever had to制止 someone?"
"Why is it hard to制止 bad habits?"
"What should the government do to制止 crime?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you制止 someone from doing something wrong.
Describe a situation that needs to be制止 immediately.
Why do we need to制止 certain social behaviors?
Reflect on a time you failed to制止 a mistake.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, 停止 is 'to stop' (intransitive), 制止 is 'to prevent/curb' (transitive).
No, use 停车.
Yes, it is more formal than 停.
Both in the fourth tone.
Sometimes, but 抑制 is better.
Yes, for serious issues.
纵容 (to connive/indulge).
Not directly.
Test Yourself
我们必须___这种行为。
制止 means to stop.
Which means to stop something?
制止 is the correct verb.
制止 can be used for casual conversation.
It is usually formal.
Word
Meaning
Translation match.
Subject + Verb + Particle + Object.
Score: /5
Summary
制止 is the active, formal way to say 'stop' or 'curb' an ongoing negative action.
- Means to stop or prevent.
- Used for behavior and actions.
- Formal and serious tone.
- Requires an object.
When Native Speakers Use It
When something is going wrong and needs immediate action.
Grammar Shortcut
Always follow it with an object.
Say It Right
Keep both tones sharp and falling.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it for inanimate objects like a machine.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More general words
一下儿
A1a bit, a moment
点儿
A1a little bit
有点儿
A1a little, somewhat (negative connotation)
一下
A2A bit; a moment (used after a verb).
异样
B1different; unusual; strange
关于
A1about, concerning
快要
A2to be about to (happen)
大约
B1Used to show that a number or amount is not exact; approximately.
上边
A2above, on top
上面
A1on, above, over
