How to Write 阻 (zǔ) — Meaning “to block; to hinder”

Imagine a hill (阝) blocking your path as you try to reach a sacred altar (且). The altar is important, but the hill stops you — that "blocking" action is 阻. Picture yourself frustrated behind a mound, unable to get to the altar.

Write the radical 阝 as two strokes: first an ascending left curve, then a vertical stroke ending in a hook. The right side 且 starts with a left vertical stroke, then three horizontal lines (the middle one slightly longer), and finally a bottom horizontal. Keep the left side narrow and the right side wider — a common mistake is making 阝 too tall.

阻 has the radical 阝 on the left (meaning hill/obstacle), while 邗 and 邘 have 阝 on the right (meaning city/place). 阻 means "to block," whereas 邗 and 邘 are rare place names (邗 refers to an ancient state, 邘 to an ancient city). The position of the radical completely changes the meaning.

阻 is common in formal and written Chinese for physical or abstract obstruction, like 阻止 (zǔ zhǐ, to prevent) and 阻碍 (zǔ ài, to hinder). You'll see it in news reports about traffic jams (交通阻塞) or laws that block certain actions. It carries a neutral to negative tone, focusing on the act of stopping progress.

Common words containing 阻 include: 阻止 (zǔ zhǐ) — to prevent; to stop; 阻碍 (zǔ ài) — to hinder; to obstruct; 阻力 (zǔ lì) — resistance; drag.