Welcome to your comprehensive guide on how to say “stop” in Chinese. Whether you want to confidently express this word in formal or informal situations, we will cover various ways to help you learn and understand its usage. While there are no significant regional variations for this particular term, we’ll focus on standard Mandarin Chinese. So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Stop” in Chinese
Formal expressions in Chinese are commonly used in official settings, serious conversations, or when addressing individuals with higher status or authority.
1. 停止 (tíngzhǐ)
This is the standard translation for “stop” in Chinese. It is formal and can be used in various contexts, such as when instructing someone to cease an action or when referring to the termination of a process or event.
Example: 请停止你的行为。 (Qǐng tíngzhǐ nǐ de xíngwéi.) Please stop your behavior.
2. 不准 (bù zhǔn)
Another formal expression for “stop” is “不准” which carries a sense of prohibition or disallowance. It is often used when giving directives or stating rules.
Example: 不准吸烟。 (Bù zhǔn xīyān.) No smoking allowed.
Informal Ways to Say “Stop” in Chinese
Informal expressions are used in casual conversations, among friends, or in everyday situations. They add a personal touch to your language skills when interacting with Chinese speakers on a more friendly level.
1. 别 (bié)
“别” is an informal way to say “stop” in Chinese. It is commonly used between friends or acquaintances to ask someone to stop doing something.
Example: 别说了。 (Bié shuōle.) Stop talking.
2. 停 (tíng)
“停” is another casual alternative to say “stop” in Chinese. It is less formal than “停止” but more straightforward and can be used in various situations.
Example: 停下来。 (Tíng xiàlai.) Stop (come to a stop).
Other Useful Phrases Related to “Stop”
Now that we’ve covered formal and informal ways to say “stop,” here are some related phrases you might find useful:
1. 停车 (tíng chē)
Meaning “stop the car,” you can use this phrase when you want someone to halt their vehicle.
2. 别动 (bié dòng)
When you want to tell someone to “stop moving” or “don’t move,” this phrase will come in handy.
3. 闭嘴 (bìzuǐ)
When someone won’t stop talking or bothering you, you can say “闭嘴,” which means “shut up.”
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have completed this comprehensive guide on how to say “stop” in Chinese. Now you are equipped with various expressions to use in formal and informal situations. Remember, “停止 (tíngzhǐ)” and “不准 (bù zhǔn)” are your go-to choices for formal occasions, while “别 (bié)” and “停 (tíng)” are perfect for informal contexts. Additionally, you learned some related phrases that will help you in different scenarios. Keep practicing and incorporating these words into your Chinese conversations, and you’ll be mastering the language in no time!
