阻 zǔ to hinder
to hinder; to impede
How to remember 阻: 阝 mound + 且 moreover = to hinder. A mound of boxes and, moreover, grandpa's huge bookcase block the narrow hallway, as if placed there on purpose to hinder the tired movers.
Component breakdown
阻 = 阝 mound + 且 moreover
- 阝 mound
- 且 moreover
A mound of boxes and, moreover, grandpa's huge bookcase block the narrow hallway, as if placed there on purpose to hinder the tired movers.
How it is used
- 阻止 zǔzhǐ takes a person or action as object and means to actively stop them: 阻止他离开 (zǔzhǐ tā líkāi) "stop him from leaving."
- 阻碍 zǔ'ài is more abstract - hindering progress or development (阻碍经济发展) - and 阻挠 zǔnáo adds a note of deliberate, obstructive sabotage.
- 劝阻 quànzǔ is to talk someone out of doing something; the idiom 风雨无阻 (fēngyǔ wúzǔ) "regardless of weather" describes unwavering commitment.