中止

• Reading: ちゅうし
• Romaji: chuushi
• Kanji breakdown: 中 (chuu/naka) — middle, inside; 止 (shi/to) — stop, halt
• Pronunciation: /tɕɯː.ɕi/

Meaning

Interruption; discontinuance; suspension; stoppage. Cancelling or halting an activity.

A noun and suru-verb meaning to cancel, discontinue, or call off. Stronger than 延期 (enki, postponement) — 中止 means something is stopped entirely, not merely rescheduled. Common uses: イベントが中止になる (ibento ga chuushi ni naru, the event is cancelled), 中止する (chuushi suru, to call off). Frequently seen in weather-related cancellations.

Examples

1. 雨のためサッカーの試合が中止になった。 The soccer game was canceled because of the rain.
2. 安全上の理由で工事を中止した。 Construction was halted for safety reasons.
3. コンサートが中止になって残念だった。 I was disappointed that the concert was canceled.

Usage Guide

Context: events, news, official announcements

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 中 (chuu, middle/in the midst of) and 止 (shi, stop). Literally 'stopping in the middle', implying something is halted before completion.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal