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March 24, 2026
不止bùzhǐ(bu4zhi3)
不止 (bùzhǐ) means 'not limited to' or 'more than,' indicating that something is continuous or exceeds a certain limit. It is commonly used to describe situations, actions, or quantities that are ongoing or abundant, often in a context where one might expect a conclusion or limit.
Frequency#2958DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of continuous improvement and endless possibilities is significant, often reflected in sayings and philosophies promoting persistent effort and resilience. 不止 embodies this ethos, suggesting that one should strive for more than just the minimum.
Memory Tip
Imagine a river that flows endlessly, symbolizing '不止' (bùzhǐ) – the water never stops. The character 不 (bù) means 'not,' while 止 (zhǐ) means 'to stop.' Visualize the flowing river as a reminder that it signifies something that does not stop or is more than expected.
Meanings of 不止
bùzhǐ(bu4zhi3)
1incessantly
2without end
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 不止
不止Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#2958Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 不止
Podcast: 不止
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AI Study Notes for 不止
Quick Contrast
不仅 (bùjǐn) — use 不止 when emphasizing an ongoing or exceeding nature, while 不仅 focuses on inclusion or addition.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a river that flows endlessly, symbolizing '不止' (bùzhǐ) – the water never stops. The character 不 (bù) means 'not,' while 止 (zhǐ) means 'to stop.' Visualize the flowing river as a reminder that it signifies something that does not stop or is more than expected.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 不止 with similar phrases like 只是 (zhǐ shì), which means 'only.' 不止 is often used in formal contexts, so it's appropriate for both spoken and written communication. Common collocations include 不止于 (bù zhǐ yú) meaning 'not limited to.'
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 不止 connects to other advanced vocabulary that discusses limits or quantities. Focus on its usage in complex sentences, and practice combining it with other verbs or adjectives to convey a sense of continuity or abundance.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of continuous improvement and endless possibilities is significant, often reflected in sayings and philosophies promoting persistent effort and resilience. 不止 embodies this ethos, suggesting that one should strive for more than just the minimum.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 不止 with 只是 (zhǐ shì) and use it incorrectly in contexts where they mean 'only.' For example, saying '我不止去商店' (I only go to the store) is wrong; it should be '我不止去商店' meaning 'I go to more than just the store.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 不止
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Grammar Patterns of 不止
不止 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 4 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 5
Complete the Sentence
抑郁症使他____一次地企图自杀。
More than once, depression drove him to attempt suicide.
Example Sentences for 不止 (5)
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1
抑郁症使他不止一次地企图自杀。
yì yù zhèng shǐ tā bù zhǐ yī cì dì qǐ tú zì shā。
More than once, depression drove him to attempt suicide.
nà tiān xià wǔ tā fā chū le yuǎn yuǎn bù zhǐ400 400 fèn qǐng。
She had sent out well over four hundred invitations that afternoon.
Cultural Notes for 不止
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of continuous improvement and endless possibilities is significant, often reflected in sayings and philosophies promoting persistent effort and resilience. 不止 embodies this ethos, suggesting that one should strive for more than just the minimum.
Frequently Asked Questions about 不止
Yes, it can be used in both formal and informal contexts to describe ongoing situations.
You can use it to express that something is more than expected, e.g., '他的成就不止于此' (His achievements are not limited to this).
No, 不止 emphasizes continuity or abundance, while 不是 simply means 'is not'.
