终止 zhōngzhǐ to stop
to stop; to terminate
How to remember 终止: 终 end + 止 to stop = to stop.
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How it is used
- To bring an ongoing thing to a stop - 终止合同 (zhōngzhǐ hétong) to terminate a contract; 终止谈判 (zhōngzhǐ tánpàn) to break off talks.
- Formal and often deliberate/official, vs everyday 停止 (tíngzhǐ, to stop); 终止 stresses a definitive end to something in progress.
- Common in legal, medical, and procedural contexts.