站住

站住 (zhàn zhù) is a verb phrase meaning 'to stop' or 'to halt.' It is often used to tell someone to stop moving, usually in a physical sense, such as when chasing someone or preventing them from leaving.

The character 站 (zhàn) means 'to stand' or 'to be stationed,' while 住 (zhù) means 'to stay' or 'to reside.' Together, they form a phrase that literally translates to 'stand and stay,' emphasizing the action of halting movement.

站住 is commonly used in daily conversations, especially in urgent or commanding contexts. It can also be used metaphorically, though less frequently. Understanding its use helps learners grasp how Chinese combines two simple characters into a meaningful and functional expression.