停
ting⁴
The Cantonese word for stop is 停 (ting⁴). Wiktionary also lists 收 (sau¹).
Meaning: not to continue (verb)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 停 | ting⁴ |
| 收 | sau¹ |
The word 停 is used when an action or movement ceases. A common way to tell someone to stop an immediate physical action or a specific behavior is to say 停手, which literally means "stop hands".
Which one should you use?
停 (ting4) is used to describe the cessation of an action or movement. In contrast, 收 (sau1) is used when "stopping" involves withdrawing, collecting or shutting something down, such as stopping a business or withdrawing a statement.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that an action has already stopped, you can add the aspect marker 咗 (zo2) after 停 to form 停咗. To ask a question about whether something will stop, use the pattern 停唔停 (ting4 m4 ting4).
How do you pronounce it?
ting⁴
Did you know?
- In Cantonese, the word 收 can mean 'stop' in the sense of closing a shop for the day, implying a gathering or withdrawing of goods.
- The word 收 is also used when someone is asked to 'stop' or withdraw a statement they have made in a formal or argumentative context.
- Asking if something will stop uses a rhythmic 'A-not-A' pattern 停唔停, which is a common Cantonese method for forming yes-no questions.
Examples in context
- 我打乞嗤打到停唔到。I can't stop sneezing.This sentence shows how to use 停 when describing an uncontrollable action like sneezing.Tatoeba #1329549 by nickyeow, translation #63043 by CK
- 我叫咗佢停，佢都繼續講嘢。She kept on talking after I asked her to stop.This sentence demonstrates using 停 to ask someone to stop a continuous action.Tatoeba #599669 by nickyeow, translation #317179 by CK
- 停手呀！Stop that!This sentence provides an example of using the phrase 停手 to command someone to stop what they are doing.Tatoeba #6196439 by aizilan, translation #651592 by orbpic
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A man and a woman are walking when the rain stops.
- 家明 Ka Ming美玲，你睇，雨停咗喇！mei5 ling4, nei5 tai2, jyu5 ting4 zo2 laa3!Mei Ling, look, the rain has stopped!
- 美玲 Mei Ling係呀，家明，好彩停咗。hai6 aa3, kaa1 ming4, hou2 coi4 ting4 zo2.Yes, Ka Ming, it's a good thing it stopped.
- 家明 Ka Ming我哋可以繼續行喇。ngo5 dei6 ho2 ji5 gai3 zuk6 haang4 laa3.We can continue walking now.
- 美玲 Mei Ling好呀，行啦。hou2 aa3, haang4 laa1.Okay, let's go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stop” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
