Meaning
驻足 means to stop walking and remain in place for a moment, often to observe, admire, or contemplate something. It suggests a deliberate pause rather than just stopping briefly. The word conveys a sense of being drawn to stay at a particular spot.
Usage
This is a somewhat literary or formal expression commonly used in written Chinese or elegant speech. It often appears in descriptions of people pausing to look at scenery, art, or interesting sights. Native speakers might use simpler words like 停下来 in casual conversation, but 驻足 adds a more refined, contemplative quality.
Examples
- 01游客们纷纷在这幅名画前驻足欣赏。.Tourists stopped one after another to admire this famous painting.
- 02他走过橱窗时驻足观看了一会儿。.He paused to look at the shop window for a while as he walked past.
Characters
Common collocations
- 驻足观看to stop and watch
- 驻足欣赏to pause to admire
- 驻足凝望to stop and gaze
- 忍不住驻足cannot help but stop
Antonyms
Origin
Literally combines 驻 (to station, halt) with 足 (foot), creating the image of 'stationing one's feet' or stopping in place. The character 驻 originally referred to troops being stationed somewhere, lending a sense of deliberate positioning to the compound.