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March 24, 2026
停顿(停頓)tíngdùn(ting2dun4)
停顿 (tíngdùn) refers to a temporary cessation of movement or speech. It is commonly used in contexts related to pausing in conversation, music, or any activity where a break is necessary. The nuance suggests a deliberate stop, often to emphasize or clarify a point.
Frequency#14388DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, pauses in speech can carry significant weight, allowing speakers to emphasize their points or create suspense. Mastering the use of 停顿 can enhance one's rhetorical skills, especially in formal settings like business meetings or academic presentations.
Memory Tip
Think of 停 (tíng) as 'stop' with a roof (亠) above it, suggesting a sheltered pause, and 顿 (dùn) resembling a person (人) coming to a halt. Visualize a speaker on stage who stops to gather thoughts, embodying the idea of a pause.
Meanings of 停顿
tíngdùn(ting2dun4)
1to halt
2to break off
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 停顿
停顿Simplified
停頓Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#14388Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 停顿
Podcast: 停顿
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AI Study Notes for 停顿
Quick Contrast
停留 (tíngliú) refers to a stop or stay in a place for a period of time, while 停顿 (tíngdùn) emphasizes a temporary cessation of movement or speech.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 停 (tíng) as 'stop' with a roof (亠) above it, suggesting a sheltered pause, and 顿 (dùn) resembling a person (人) coming to a halt. Visualize a speaker on stage who stops to gather thoughts, embodying the idea of a pause.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 停顿 with similar-sounding words, as it specifically denotes a pause rather than a complete stop. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in discussions about public speaking or linguistic analysis. Common collocations include '停顿一下' (pause for a moment) or '语音停顿' (pause in speech).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 停顿 connects well with advanced vocabulary related to communication and presentation skills. Students should focus on using it in contexts involving formal speeches or discussions, as well as practicing its pronunciation to avoid muddling the tones.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, pauses in speech can carry significant weight, allowing speakers to emphasize their points or create suspense. Mastering the use of 停顿 can enhance one's rhetorical skills, especially in formal settings like business meetings or academic presentations.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 停顿 as a synonym for 停止 (to stop) in all contexts, which can lead to confusion. For example, saying '他停顿了工作' (He paused the work) should be corrected to '他停止了工作' (He stopped the work) when referring to ceasing an action.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 停顿
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Grammar Patterns of 停顿
停顿 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
他说得很慢，每个词之间都有____。
He talks quite slowly and spaces his words out.
Example Sentences for 停顿 (7)
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1
他说得很慢，每个词之间都有停顿。
tā shuō dé hěn màn， ， měi gè cí zhī jiān dū yǒu tíng。
He talks quite slowly and spaces his words out.
2
他停顿了一下，歪着头，好像是在听。
tā tíng dùn le yī xià， ， wāi zháo， tóu ， hǎo xiàng shì。
He paused and cocked his head as if listening.
3
他停顿了一下,然后又读下去.
tā tíng dùn le yī xià, , rán hòu yòu dú xià.
He made a pause and then went on reading.
4
该市机场的能见度降为零，空中交通陷入了停顿。
gāi shì jī cháng de néng jiàn dù jiàng wéi líng， ， kōng zhōng jiāo tōng xiàn rù le tíng。
Visibility at the city's airport came down to zero, bringing air traffic to a standstill.
5
伊莎贝尔的旅行象旋风似的,急急忙忙,一刻也不停顿,仿佛渴了几天的人, 一杯接一杯地喝水.
yī suō bèi ěr de lǚ háng xiàng xuán fēng sì de, , jí jí máng, máng , yī kè yě bù, tíng dùn , fǎng fó kě le jī, tiān de rén , yī bēi jiē yī.
Isabel travelled rapidly and recklessly; she was like a thirsty person draining cup after cup.
6
我向那个很帅的男孩表白前停顿了一下.
wǒ xiàng nà gè hěn shuài de nán hái biǎo bái qián tíng dùn le yī xià.
I hesitated before I told the handsome boy I liked him.
7
他在阅读中停顿了一下,又继续念下去.
tā zài yuè dú zhōng tíng dùn le yī xià, , yòu jì xù niàn xià.
He came to a pause in reading and then went on reading.
Cultural Notes for 停顿
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, pauses in speech can carry significant weight, allowing speakers to emphasize their points or create suspense. Mastering the use of 停顿 can enhance one's rhetorical skills, especially in formal settings like business meetings or academic presentations.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, pauses in speech can often be seen as awkward or uncomfortable, whereas in Chinese culture, they are frequently used for emphasis and clarity.
Frequently Asked Questions about 停顿
You can say, '在演讲中，适当地使用停顿可以让听众更好地理解你的观点。' (In a speech, using pauses appropriately can help the audience better understand your points.)
No, while it is commonly used in speech, 停顿 can also refer to pauses in music or other activities where a break is taken.
Synonyms include 停止 (tíngzhǐ, to stop) and 间歇 (jiànxiē, to pause), though each word has its specific contexts.
