dừng lại
[zɨŋ˨˩ laːj˧˨ʔ]
The English phrase stop is translated into Vietnamese as dừng lại.
dừng lại is the standard way to tell a vehicle, a person walking or a process to come to a halt.
Meaning: not to continue (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the verb dừng (to stop/pause) and the directional particle lại (to stay/remain/back), which together emphasize the cessation of movement or action.
Which one should you use?
While dừng lại often refers to stopping physical movement or a specific action in progress, ngừng is more commonly used for the cessation of a continuous state or a recurring activity, such as a ceasefire.
How does it change in a sentence?
dừng lại is an intransitive verb phrase and does not require a direct object to express the act of stopping itself.
Did you know?
- While dừng lại means to stop, the word đừng is used to say 'don't' or 'stop doing something' in a command. For example, to tell someone 'stop talking', you might say đừng nói nữa.
- The particle lại may be distantly related to the Chinese word lai (來), meaning 'to come', suggesting a conceptual link between 'coming' and 'returning' to a standstill.
- The word đình is the formal Sino-Vietnamese equivalent of dừng. It is rarely used in conversation but appears in formal terms like 'suspension' or 'stoppage'.
Examples in context
- Tôi sẽ dừng lại.I'll stop.This sentence demonstrates the use of dừng lại to express a personal intention to stop.Tatoeba #13640321 by leucammieuvu, translation #2878242 by CK
- Xin hãy dừng lại.Please stop.This sentence shows how to use dừng lại to make a polite request to stop.Tatoeba #13338379 by leucammieuvu, translation #2111569 by CK
- Dừng lại ở đó đi.Stop there.This sentence illustrates how to use dừng lại to command someone to stop at a specific location.Tatoeba #13338398 by leucammieuvu, translation #2111490 by CK
- Xin hãy dừng lạiPlease stop
- Xin tạm dừng một chútPlease stop for a moment
- Dừng lại nào, chúng ta cần nghỉ ngơiStop, we need to rest
- Chúng ta nghỉ thôi, đã làm đủ rồiLet's stop, we have done enough
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lan and Nam are jogging in the park.
- LanNam ơi, chúng ta nên dừng lại một chút.Nam, we should stop for a bit.
- NamEm thấy mệt lắm rồi à?Are you feeling very tired?
- LanVâng, em muốn dừng lại nghỉ.Yes, I want to stop and rest.
- NamĐược rồi, mình dừng lại thôi.Alright, let's stop.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry dừng lại, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dừng, dừng lại, lại, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
