停泊

• Pinyin: tíng bó
• Hanzi breakdown: 停 = 亻+ 亭 — to stop; 泊 = 氵(water) + 白 — to anchor

Meaning

To anchor; to moor; to berth (of ships).

Specifically for ships or boats stopping and anchoring at a harbor or shore. More formal than 停 alone. Can be used metaphorically for finding a place of rest.

Examples

1. 港口里停泊着几十艘货轮，等待装卸货物。 Dozens of cargo ships are moored in the harbor, waiting to load and unload goods.
2. 游艇停泊在码头边，船主正在甲板上喝香槟。 The yacht is berthed at the dock, and the owner is drinking champagne on deck.
3. 经历了多年漂泊，他终于找到了心灵停泊的港湾。 After years of drifting, he finally found a harbor where his soul could rest.

Usage Guide

Context: maritime, harbors, metaphorical

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 船只停泊。(Ships are moored.)
• 停泊在港口。(Anchored at the harbor.)

Don't Say

• 用'停泊'描述汽车停放 (停泊 is for boats — for cars, use 停放 or 停车)

Origin & History

停 means to stop, 泊 means to moor (a boat) — to stop and moor.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal