止

Denotes the cessation of motion or action. This includes intransitive cessation (to cease or end), transitive restraint (to hold back, detain, or prevent), and the concept of a limit or boundary (a point beyond which one does not go, including moral or intellectual boundaries). In archaic usage, it may denote remaining or dwelling in a place.

Operates as both an intransitive and transitive verb. It may function as a noun in early or rare instances to refer to the foot or a specific station/destination. It can also serve as a limit marker indicating that an action has reached its furthest extent.

Distinguish from 停 (tíng), which typically implies a temporary pause, whereas 止 is more likely to be final or absolute; from 息 (xī), which emphasizes rest and recovery rather than the termination of activity; and from 禁 (jìn), which refers to formal prohibitions or laws, while 止 refers to the act of stopping a behavior.

Tang-period reading: *jiə̌ (Fanqie: 諸市).

Originates as a pictograph of a foot. As a component in other glyphs (e.g., 歩, 限), it consistently preserves the sense of the foot or the act of reaching a boundary.

In early ritual or administrative texts, be alert to ambiguity between an imperative ("Stop!") and a descriptive state ("has stopped"). If "stop" feels too abrupt for the context, consider whether the archaic sense of "remain" or "dwell" is more appropriate.