戛然而止
戛然而止 (jiá rán ér zhǐ) literally means “suddenly and stop” and expresses “come to an abrupt halt”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
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Come to an abrupt halt
Pronunciation: jiá rán ér zhǐ
Literal meaning: Suddenly and stop
Origin & Usage
This onomatopoeic idiom combines the sharp sound 'jia' (戛) with the character for 'thus' (然) and 'stop' (止), creating a vivid image of sudden cessation, originating from Han Dynasty music criticism. It first described performances where instruments stopped unexpectedly, breaking musical flow. The harsh consonant beginning matched the jarring experience of unexpected endings. During the Tang Dynasty, literary critics expanded its usage to describe narrative works with abrupt conclusions. The sound symbolism was particularly effective in Chinese aesthetics, where sonic qualities often reinforced meaning. Modern usage describes any unexpected termination - from interrupted conversations to discontinued projects - emphasizing both the suddenness and completeness of the cessation.
Examples
English: "The music ended abruptly in the middle of the performance"
Chinese: 音乐在演出中突然戛然而止
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 戛然而止 mean in English?
戛然而止 (jiá rán ér zhǐ) literally translates to “Suddenly and stop” and is used to express “Come to an abrupt halt”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 戛然而止 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving come to an abrupt halt.
What is the pinyin for 戛然而止?
The pinyin pronunciation for 戛然而止 is “jiá rán ér zhǐ”.