verb / noun HSK 5
Traditional 停頓
to pause · to halt momentarily · pause · break
Meaning
停顿 refers to a temporary stop or pause in action, speech, or movement. It implies a brief interruption rather than a complete cessation, with the expectation that the activity will resume. The word combines the concepts of 'stopping' (停) and 'pausing/halting' (顿) to emphasize the momentary nature of the break.
Usage
Commonly used when describing pauses in speech, reading, music, or any ongoing activity. In writing and linguistics, it refers to punctuation marks that create pauses. Native speakers often use it when someone hesitates mid-sentence or when describing rhythmic breaks in performance or narration.
Examples
- 01他说话时停顿了一下，似乎在思考接下来要说什么。, .He paused while speaking, as if thinking about what to say next.
- 02朗读时要注意标点符号的停顿。.When reading aloud, pay attention to the pauses indicated by punctuation marks.
Characters
Measure words
- 次停顿了两次
- 个一个短暂的停顿
Common collocations
- 停顿一下to pause for a moment
- 语气停顿pause in speech/tone
- 没有停顿without pause
- 停顿符号punctuation mark
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters relate to cessation of movement. 顿 originally depicted a person's head bowing down, suggesting a momentary halt or rest.