中止

ちゅうし

suspension, stoppage, discontinuance

JLPT N3

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

「中止」(ちゅうし) means to stop or cancel an event, activity, or process that was planned or ongoing. It is often used in formal or official contexts such as sports games, events, construction, or meetings.

Common Contexts

This word is frequently seen in announcements or notifications when something cannot proceed as scheduled due to external factors like weather, safety, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 「中止になる」: to be canceled or stopped (passive result)
  • 「中止を知らせる」: to notify about a cancellation
  • 「中止を決定する」: to decide to cancel

Register and Nuance

「中止」 is a neutral to formal term, suitable for written and spoken announcements. It implies a definite stop rather than a temporary pause.

Common Mistake

Learners sometimes confuse 「中止」 with 「延期」 (えんき, postponement). Remember, 「中止」 means cancellation with no rescheduling, while 「延期」 means the event will happen later.

Example Sentences

あめのため、しあいはちゅうしになりました。

Due to the rain, the game was canceled.

いべんとのちゅうしをしらせるめーるがとどいた。

I received an email notifying the cancellation of the event.

こうじはあんぜんじょうのりゆうでちゅうしされた。

The construction was stopped for safety reasons.