不止
bù zhǐ HSK 6

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

这个城市的人口不止一千万。
Zhège chéngshì de rénkǒu bùzhǐ yī qiān wàn.
The population of this city is more than ten million.
他的兴趣不止是音乐。
Tā de xìngqù bùzhǐ shì yīnyuè.
His interests are not limited to music.
这个项目不止需要资金。
Zhège xiàngmù bùzhǐ xūyào zījīn.
This project requires more than just funding.
他不止高。
Tā bùzhǐ gāo.
He is not just tall.
我不止累。
Wǒ bùzhǐ lèi.
I am not just tired.

💡 Memory Tip

Break it down: 不 (bù) means 'not', and 止 (zhǐ) means 'to stop'—so together, it's 'not stopping', hinting at 'without end' or 'more than'. Think: 'I want 不止 (not stopping at) just this.'

📝 Usage Notes

Used in both spoken and written Chinese, across formal and informal contexts. Common in statements to highlight insufficiency, emphasize additional aspects, or quantify beyond a limit, such as in comparisons or lists.

📖 Grammar Points

Often followed by a numeral-measure phrase (e.g., 不止三个), a noun phrase (e.g., 不止这些), or a clause (e.g., 不止他会). Can be used in patterns like 'A,不止B' to mean 'A, and not just B'.

🏯 Cultural Notes

Reflects a cultural tendency to emphasize modesty or understatement by pointing out that something is 'more than' what is visible or stated, common in negotiations or expressions of desire.

🔄 Similar Words

Unlike 不仅/不但 (bùjǐn/bùdàn), which are conjunctions often paired with 而且/还 to mean 'not only... but also...', 不止 focuses on exceeding a specific amount or scope and can stand alone as a verb. 不只 (bùzhǐ) is sometimes used interchangeably with 不止 in informal contexts, but 不止 is more common for quantity/degree.

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