不止

• Pinyin: bù zhǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 不 (not) + 止 (stop, limit)

Meaning

More than; not limited to; not only.

Used to indicate that a quantity or scope exceeds what is stated. Different from 不只 (not only), though they overlap in some uses. 不止 emphasizes quantity, while 不只 emphasizes scope.

Examples

1. 参加这次活动的人不止一百，可能有两百多。 More than a hundred people attended this event — probably over two hundred.
2. 他的才华不止于此，还有很多你不知道的。 His talents are more than just this — there's a lot more you don't know.
3. 这种问题不止发生一次了，必须彻底解决。 This kind of problem has occurred more than once — it must be thoroughly resolved.

Usage Guide

Context: quantification, emphasis, discussion

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 损失不止这些。(The losses are more than just this.)
• 受影响的不止一家公司。(More than one company was affected.)

Don't Say

• 混淆'不止'和'不只'——'不止'强调数量，'不只'强调范围 (Don't confuse 不止 with 不只 — 不止 emphasizes quantity while 不只 emphasizes scope)

Origin & History

Compound of 不 (not) + 止 (stop/limit), meaning 'not limited to.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal