While 中止 doesn't carry deep philosophical weight like `关系 (guānxi)`, its importance lies in its formality and role in procedural and legal culture in China. It signifies a structured and serious approach to agreements and projects. In Western business or legal contexts, we might use several different words like “suspend,” “terminate,” “adjourn,” or “discontinue.” 中止 (zhōngzhǐ) often covers the sense of “suspend” or “discontinue.” A key cultural nuance is that 中止 can sometimes imply a temporary halt with the possibility of resumption, much like “to suspend.” This contrasts with a more final word like “terminate.” Its use reflects a society where formal processes, contracts, and official decisions are taken very seriously, and the language used to describe them is precise and distinct from everyday speech.
中止 is almost exclusively used in formal written or spoken contexts. You will rarely hear it in casual conversation among friends.
The connotation is generally neutral but always serious. It's a statement of fact about a significant action being halted.
The most common point of confusion for learners is distinguishing 中止 from other words that mean “stop.”