1. Meaning and Usage
The resultative complement "住" (zhù) is appended to a verb to indicate that the action results in something being fixed, stopped, held firmly, secured, or contained. It implies that the action successfully brings an object or a person to a static or stable state, preventing further movement or change. It often conveys a sense of firmness, stability, or completeness in the act of stopping or holding.
2. Formulas and Examples
Case 1: Indicating an action results in stopping or holding still
This is the most common usage, where the action brings movement to a halt or secures something in place.
- Formula: $$Verb + 住$$
- Usage: Used with verbs of movement, catching, or holding.
站住! Zhànzhù! Stop! (Literally: "Stand firm!")
请抓这根绳子抓住。 Qǐng zhuā zhè gēn shéngzi zhuāzhù. Please grab this rope and hold it firmly.
他突然停住了脚步。 Tā tūrán tíngzhù le jiǎobù. He suddenly stopped his footsteps.
Case 2: Indicating an action results in securing or fixing something in place
Used with verbs that involve fastening, locking, or attaching.
- Formula: $$Verb + 住$$
- Usage: Emphasizes that the object is now fixed and cannot move.
把门锁住。 Bǎ mén suǒzhù. Lock the door (firmly).
这块木板需要钉住。 Zhè kuài mùbǎn xūyào dīngzhù. This piece of wood needs to be nailed down.
Case 3: Indicating an action results in covering or blocking completely
Used with verbs that mean to cover, block, or obstruct.
- Formula: $$Verb + 住$$
- Usage: Implies that the entire area is covered or the passage is fully blocked.
用手把嘴巴捂住。 Yòng shǒu bǎ zuǐbā wǔzhù. Cover your mouth with your hand.
这条路被雪堵住了。 Zhè tiáo lù bèi xuě dǔzhù le. This road is blocked by snow.
Case 4: Indicating successful memorization or firm retention
Used with the verb "记" (jì).
- Formula: $$记 + 住$$
- Usage: Specifically means to remember something firmly and successfully.
请记住我的名字。 Qǐng jìzhù wǒ de míngzi. Please remember my name (firmly).
我记不住那么多单词。 Wǒ jìbuzhù nàme duō dāncí. I can't remember so many words. (Example of potential complement, see next section)
Case 5: Potential Complement "Verb + 得住 / Verb + 不住"
This structure indicates whether the action can or cannot achieve the result of "住".
- Formula for Ability: $$Verb + 得 + 住$$
- Formula for Inability: $$Verb + 不 + 住$$
你拿得住这个箱子吗？ Nǐ nádézhù zhège xiāngzi ma? Can you hold this box firmly?
我拿不住了，太重了！ Wǒ nábuzhù le, tài zhòng le! I can't hold it anymore, it's too heavy!
他忍不住笑了起来。 Tā rěnbuzhù xiào le qǐlái. He couldn't help but laugh. (A common fixed expression meaning "unable to resist/endure")
3. Essential HSK Tips & Common Mistakes
- Focus on the "firmness" or "fixity": The key nuance of "住" is that the result of the verb is a state of being firmly in place, stopped, or held. This distinguishes it from other resultative complements that indicate completion (完) or arrival (到). For example, 停下来 (tíngxiàlái) means "to stop" in a general sense, while 停住 (tíngzhù) emphasizes stopping dead or holding firm.
- Common Mistake: Overusing "住" for any "stop": Not every instance of "stop" requires "住". For example, when simply stopping an action, 停 (tíng) might suffice. "住" adds the nuance of firmness or securing.
- Correct: 他停止了工作。(Tā tíngzhǐ le gōngzuò.) - He stopped working. (Stopping an activity)
- Correct with 住: 他把车停住了。(Tā bǎ chē tíngzhù le.) - He stopped the car (and it's now firmly in place).
- Pay attention to "忍不住": This is a very common fixed expression using the potential complement Verb + 不住. It means "cannot help but," "cannot resist," or "cannot endure/restrain." It's frequently tested in HSK.
她忍不住哭了。 Tā rěnbuzhù kū le. She couldn't help but cry.
- Differentiate "记住" from "记得":
- 记住 (jìzhù): Emphasizes the process of committing something to memory and the successful result of having it fixed in your mind. It's often used as an imperative.
- 记得 (jìde): Indicates that something is in your memory, or the state of remembering.
你记住这个号码了吗？ Nǐ jìzhù zhège hàomǎ le ma? Did you commit this number to memory? (Did you successfully remember it?) 我记得他叫王明。 Wǒ jìde tā jiào Wáng Míng. I remember his name is Wang Ming. (It is in my memory.)