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A2 verb #1,500 am häufigsten 7 Min. Lesezeit

止まる

tomaru Top 1,500

At the A1 level, '止まる' (tomaru) is introduced as a basic verb to describe physical things stopping. You will mostly use it for cars (車), trains (電車), and bicycles (自転車). It is important to learn it alongside the particle 'が' (ga). At this stage, you should focus on the present and past polite forms: '止まります' (tomarimasu) and '止まりました' (tomarimashita). You might hear it in simple classroom instructions or while walking near a road. For example, '車が止まりました' (The car stopped). You should also recognize it in the negative form '止まりません' (doesn't stop). This level focuses on concrete, visible objects ceasing their movement. You don't need to worry about the complex kanji variations yet; just focus on the basic meaning of a physical halt. It's one of the first intransitive verbs you learn that has a very clear transitive partner (止める), though at A1, you might only focus on the 'stopping' action itself. Think of it as the 'Stop' sign (止まれ) you see on the streets of Japan. This word is essential for basic safety and describing your immediate environment.

At the A2 level, you expand the use of '止まる' to include mechanical objects and natural phenomena. You start using it for clocks (時計) that stop working, or for the rain (雨) stopping. You also begin to use the '~te iru' form to describe a state: '車が止まっています' (A car is stopped/parked). This is a crucial distinction from the simple past '止まった' (stopped). You will also encounter the imperative form '止まれ' (Stop!) on road signs. At this level, you should be able to distinguish '止まる' from '泊まる' (to stay at a hotel), as they sound the same but have different kanji and meanings. You might also start to see it in compound sentences, like '信号が赤になったので、車が止まった' (The light turned red, so the car stopped). The focus is on expanding the variety of subjects that can 'stop' and using the verb in more natural, multi-clause sentences. You are also introduced to the idea that '止まる' can mean a bird perching on a tree, which is a common descriptive use in basic stories.

At the B1 level, you move into more abstract and metaphorical uses of '止まる'. You will use it to describe biological functions like '息が止まる' (to hold one's breath or have one's breath taken away) or '血が止まる' (bleeding stops). You also learn to use it for abstract concepts like '思考が止まる' (one's thoughts stop/freeze) when surprised or confused. At this stage, you should be comfortable with all conjugations, including the conditional '止まれば' and the potential '止まれる'. You also start to distinguish between '止まる' and more formal synonyms like '停止する' (teishi suru). You'll notice '止まる' in more complex grammar structures, such as '止まりそう' (looks like it's about to stop) or '止まったまま' (left in a stopped state). The nuances of the kanji 止 vs 停 become more relevant as you read more intermediate texts. You should be able to explain the difference between '止まる' (intransitive) and '止める' (transitive) clearly and use them correctly in conversation without hesitation. This level is about moving beyond simple physical motion into the realm of states, feelings, and more precise descriptions of the world.

At the B2 level, you encounter '止まる' in professional and literary contexts. You will see it used in news reports about '運行が止まる' (transportation services being suspended) or '供給が止まる' (supplies being cut off). You also learn the homophone '留まる' (tomaru), which means to remain or stay, often used in phrases like '記憶に留まる' (to stay in one's memory) or '目に留まる' (to catch one's eye). The distinction between these different kanji becomes vital for reading comprehension. You will also use '止まる' in more complex passive or causative-passive constructions, although they are less common for this specific verb. You'll understand the nuance of '止まる' when used in set phrases like '足が止まる' (to stop walking/stop in one's tracks). Your ability to use '止まる' should now include a wide range of subjects, from '経済の動き' (economic movement) to '進化' (evolution). You are expected to understand how '止まる' functions in formal written Japanese (Da-tai) versus polite spoken Japanese (Desu/Masu-tai). This level requires a high degree of accuracy in choosing the correct 'tomaru' based on the kanji and the specific context of the sentence.

At the C1 level, you explore the most nuanced and rare uses of '止まる'. This includes its use in classical-style expressions or highly specific technical fields. You might encounter it in discussions about '静止画' (still images) or '停止衛星' (geostationary satellites). You will understand the subtle difference between '止まる' and 'とどまる' (todomaru), where the latter often implies staying within a certain limit or range (e.g., '被害は最小限にとどまった' - the damage was kept to a minimum). You can use '止まる' to describe very subtle shifts in state, such as a needle on a gauge or a specific point in a philosophical argument. Your command of the verb allows you to use it metaphorically in sophisticated ways, such as '歴史の針が止まる' (the needle of history stops). You are also proficient in identifying the correct kanji (止, 停, 留, 泊) in all written contexts, even when the reading is the same. At this level, '止まる' is no longer just a vocabulary word but a versatile tool for precise, high-level communication in both academic and professional spheres. You can also appreciate the word's role in Japanese aesthetics, such as the concept of 'stillness' (静) versus 'motion' (動).

At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of '止まる' and its entire family of related words and kanji. You can detect the slightest nuance in its usage in high literature, legal documents, or ancient texts. You understand the historical evolution of the kanji and how its meaning has branched out into various modern applications. You can use '止まる' in complex rhetorical devices or when discussing deep philosophical concepts of time and existence. You are aware of rare idiomatic expressions and can use them appropriately in the right social context. For example, you might discuss the concept of '止まり木' (a perch) as a metaphor for a place of rest in life. Your ability to switch between '止まる', '停止', '静止', and '休止' is flawless, choosing the word that perfectly fits the register and tone of your discourse. You can also critique the use of the word in others' writing, identifying when a more precise synonym would be more effective. At this level, the word is fully integrated into your linguistic repertoire, allowing for effortless and highly nuanced expression across all domains of the Japanese language.

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

止まる in 30 Sekunden

止まる (tomaru) is an intransitive verb meaning 'to stop' or 'to come to a halt', used for vehicles, machines, and natural phenomena.
It is a Group 1 (Godan) verb and typically takes the particle 'が' to mark the subject that is stopping.
Common contexts include cars stopping at lights, clocks ceasing to tick, rain stopping, or birds perching on branches.
It is frequently confused with the transitive '止める' (to stop something) and the homophone '泊まる' (to stay overnight).

The Japanese verb 止まる (とまる - tomaru) is a fundamental intransitive verb primarily used to describe the cessation of movement, action, or a state. At its core, it signifies that something which was in motion or progressing has come to a halt. This can apply to physical objects like cars and bicycles, mechanical devices like clocks and elevators, or even abstract concepts like thoughts and time. Understanding '止まる' requires recognizing its status as an intransitive verb (自動詞 - jidoushi), meaning the subject performs the action of stopping itself, or the state of stopping occurs without a direct object being acted upon by an external agent in the sentence structure. For example, when a car stops at a red light, the car is the subject that 'stops' (車が止まる). This differs from the transitive counterpart '止める' (tomeru), where someone stops the car. The kanji character 止 is a pictograph representing a footprint or a foot that has come to a standstill at a line, emphasizing the physical act of halting progress. In broader contexts, '止まる' can also mean to stay or remain in a certain place, such as a bird perching on a branch or a person's gaze lingering on a specific object. It is a versatile word that transitions from basic physical descriptions at the A1-A2 levels to more nuanced, metaphorical uses in advanced Japanese literature and formal speech.

Physical Motion: Refers to vehicles, people, or objects ceasing their movement through space.

信号で車が止まる。(The car stops at the traffic light.)

Mechanical Function: Used when machines, clocks, or electrical devices cease to operate or function.

古い時計が止まった。(The old clock stopped.)

Natural Phenomena: Describes the ending of rain, wind, or other natural occurrences.

雨が止まった。(The rain stopped.)

小鳥が枝に止まっている。(A small bird is perched on the branch.)

あまりの美しさに息が止まった。(My breath stopped due to the sheer beauty.)

Using 止まる correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a Godan (Group 1) verb and its intransitive nature. In Japanese grammar, intransitive verbs focus on the result or the state of the subject. Therefore, you will almost always see the subject marked with the particle が (ga). If you want to say 'I stopped the car,' you cannot use '止まる'; you must use the transitive '止める'. However, if you want to say 'The car stopped,' '止まる' is the correct choice. The verb conjugates following the standard patterns for verbs ending in '-ru': 止まらない (negative), 止まります (polite), 止まった (past), 止まれば (conditional). One of the most common mistakes for learners is confusing '止まる' with '停まる'. While both are pronounced 'tomaru', '停まる' is specifically used for vehicles stopping at a designated place like a station or parking spot, whereas '止まる' is the general term for any kind of stopping. In daily conversation, '止まる' is used frequently to describe sudden malfunctions or changes in weather. For example, if your computer freezes, you might say '画面が止まった' (The screen stopped/froze). If you are staying at a hotel, however, you use a different 'tomaru' written as '泊まる'.

Grammatical Structure: [Subject] + が + 止まる. This indicates that the subject itself has come to a stop.

エレベーターが急に止まった。(The elevator stopped suddenly.)

State of Being Stopped: Using the ~te iru form (止まっている) describes a continuous state of being stopped.

道に車が止まっている。(A car is stopped on the road.)

Abstract Stopping: Used for non-physical things like thoughts, heartbeat, or progress.

驚きで思考が止まってしまった。(My thoughts came to a halt out of surprise.)

心臓が止まるかと思った。(I thought my heart was going to stop.)

You will encounter 止まる in a wide variety of everyday situations in Japan. One of the most common places is at train stations or inside trains. Announcements often use the formal version or related kanji: '電車が止まります' (The train will stop) or '急停車します' (The train will make a sudden stop). In car-related contexts, GPS navigation systems frequently say '目的地周辺で案内が止まります' (Guidance will stop near the destination). On the news, you might hear it during weather reports: '雨が止む' (the rain stops - though '止む' is more common for weather, '止まる' is used for the physical act of rain ceasing to fall in specific contexts). In the workplace, if a production line or a computer system fails, someone might shout '機械が止まった！' (The machine stopped!). It's also prevalent in sports commentary when a ball stops moving or a player is halted. In literature and song lyrics, '止まる' is often used metaphorically to describe time stopping (時間が止まる) during a romantic or tragic moment. In healthcare, doctors might use it to describe a pulse or bleeding (血が止まる). Understanding these contexts helps you realize that '止まる' is not just about cars at red lights, but about any cessation of activity or flow in the Japanese world.

Public Transport: Announcements regarding train arrivals or emergency stops.

次は、渋谷に止まります。(Next, we will stop at Shibuya.)

Technology & IT: Used when software freezes or hardware stops functioning.

動画が途中で止まってしまった。(The video stopped in the middle.)

Medical/Biological: Used for biological functions like heartbeats or bleeding.

薬を飲んだら咳が止まった。(The coughing stopped after taking the medicine.)

鼻血がなかなか止まらない。(The nosebleed just won't stop.)

The most frequent mistake learners make with 止まる is confusing it with its transitive pair 止める (tomeru). Remember: '止まる' is intransitive (something stops by itself), while '止める' is transitive (someone stops something). For example, 'くるまを止まる' is grammatically incorrect; it must be 'くるまを止める' (I stop the car) or 'くるまが止まる' (The car stops). Another major pitfall is the confusion between the three homophones: 止まる, 泊まる, and 留まる. 1) 止まる is for motion/action stopping. 2) 泊まる is for staying overnight at a hotel or someone's house. 3) 留まる (also pronounced tomaru) is for remaining in a place or being fixed in position, often used in more formal or literary contexts (e.g., 記憶に留まる - to remain in memory). Additionally, learners often use '止まる' when they should use 'やめる' (yameru). While both mean 'to stop' in English, 'やめる' is used for stopping an activity or habit (like quitting smoking or stopping a hobby), whereas '止まる' is for physical or functional cessation. Finally, don't forget the kanji '停まる' which is specifically for vehicles at designated stops. While using '止まる' for a car is generally okay, using '停まる' shows a higher level of kanji proficiency in writing.

Transitive vs. Intransitive: Mistake: [Object] を止まる. Correct: [Object] が止まる or [Object] を止める.

❌ 私はバスを止まった。(Incorrect)
✅ バスが止まった。(Correct: The bus stopped.)

Homophone Confusion: Confusing 止まる (stop) with 泊まる (stay overnight).

❌ ホテルに止まる。(Incorrect: The hotel stops?)
✅ ホテルに泊まる。(Correct: Stay at a hotel.)

Stop vs. Quit: Using 止まる for habits. Use やめる instead.

❌ タバコが止まった。(Incorrect)
✅ タバコをやめた。(Correct: Quit smoking.)

電気が止まった。(The electricity was cut off/stopped.)

While 止まる is the most common way to say 'stop,' several other words share similar meanings but carry different nuances. 停止する (teishi suru) is a more formal, technical term often used in legal, mechanical, or official contexts (e.g., 'The factory suspended operations'). 中止する (chuushi suru) means to cancel or discontinue an event or plan that was already in progress (e.g., 'The game was stopped due to rain'). 止む (yamu) is specifically used for natural phenomena like rain, snow, or wind ceasing. 途絶える (todaeru) suggests a complete break in a flow or sequence, like communication or a lineage stopping. 静止する (seishi suru) means to come to a complete, still rest, often used in physics or photography. Finally, 留まる (tomaru), as mentioned before, means to stay in place or not exceed a certain limit. Understanding these differences allows for more precise expression. For example, you 'stop' (止まる) at a light, but a project is 'suspended' (停止) or 'cancelled' (中止).

止まる vs 停止する: 止まる is everyday/general; 停止する is formal/technical.

止まる vs 止む: 止まる is for objects/machines; 止む is for weather/noise.

止まる vs 中止する: 止まる is a state; 中止する is an intentional decision to stop an event.

雨が止んだ。(The rain stopped - using 'yamu' for weather.)

試合が中止になった。(The match was cancelled/stopped.)

心臓が停止した。(Heart failure/The heart stopped - medical term.)

How Formal Is It?

Formell

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Wichtige Grammatik

Beispiele nach Niveau

くるまがとまりました。

The car stopped.

Past polite form of 止まる.

バスがとまります。

The bus will stop.

Present polite form.

ここでとまってください。

Please stop here.

~te kudasai (request form).

でんしゃがとまりました。

The train stopped.

Subject + ga + verb.

とけいがとまっています。

The clock is stopped.

~te iru form (state).

あめがとまりました。

The rain stopped.

Natural phenomenon as subject.

くるまがとまりません。

The car won't stop.

Negative polite form.

あそこでとまりましょう。

Let's stop over there.

~mashou (suggestion form).

信号が赤なので、車が止まった。

The light is red, so the car stopped.

Cause and effect with ~node.

急にエレベーターが止まって驚いた。

The elevator stopped suddenly and I was surprised.

~te form for reason.

小鳥が木の枝に止まっている。

A small bird is perched on a tree branch.

止まる meaning 'to perch'.

この時計は電池がないから止まっている。

This clock is stopped because it has no battery.

~kara for reason.

雨が止んだら、散歩に行きましょう。

When the rain stops, let's go for a walk.

~tara conditional.

お腹が痛くて、足が止まってしまった。

My stomach hurt, so I stopped walking.

~te shimau (unintentional action).

バリケードの前で車が止まった。

The car stopped in front of the barricade.

Prepositional phrase + de.

工事のために、水が止まっている。

The water is stopped due to construction.

Utility stopping.

あまりのショックに、思考が止まってしまった。

I was so shocked that my thoughts came to a halt.

Abstract use for 'thoughts'.

薬を飲んだら、ようやく咳が止まった。

After taking the medicine, the coughing finally stopped.

Biological function.

その光景を見て、思わず息が止まった。

Seeing that sight, my breath involuntarily stopped.

Idiomatic use for 'breathless'.

怪我をしたところが、なかなか血が止まらない。

The bleeding from the injury just won't stop.

Negative potential nuance.

機械が故障して、生産ラインが止まっている。

The machine broke down, and the production line is stopped.

Industrial context.

彼の話を聞いて、みんなの手が止まった。

Hearing his story, everyone stopped what they were doing.

Metaphorical 'hands stopping'.

雪の影響で、電車の運行が止まっている。

Train operations are stopped due to the snow.

Formal 'operations stopping'.

心臓が止まるかと思うほど驚いた。

I was so surprised I thought my heart would stop.

~ka to omou (thought that...).

不景気の影響で、街の発展が止まっている。

Due to the recession, the city's development has stopped.

Economic/abstract subject.

彼の名前が、ふと目に止まった。

His name suddenly caught my eye.

Idiom 'me ni tomaru' (catch eye).

交渉が決裂し、プロジェクトが止まってしまった。

Negotiations broke down, and the project came to a halt.

Business context.

その美しいメロディーに、時が止まったような気がした。

With that beautiful melody, I felt as if time had stopped.

Metaphorical use of 'time'.

ダムの建設によって、川の流れが止まった。

The flow of the river stopped due to the dam construction.

Environmental change.

予算が足りず、研究が途中で止まっている。

Research has stopped midway due to a lack of budget.

Process stopping.

あまりの恐怖に、足がすくんで止まってしまった。

I was so terrified that my legs froze and I stopped.

Physical reaction to emotion.

その古い習慣は、現代では止まっている。

That old custom has ceased in modern times.

Social/historical context.

進化の歩みが止まることはない。

The march of evolution never stops.

Philosophical subject.

彼の言葉は、私の心に深く止まった。

His words stayed deeply in my heart.

Abstract 'staying' (often 留まる).

一瞬、世界の動きが止まったかのように感じられた。

For a moment, it felt as if the movement of the world had stopped.

Passive/Literary expression.

その法案の審議は、委員会で止まっている。

Deliberations on the bill are stalled in the committee.

Political/Legal context.

細胞の分裂が止まるメカニズムを研究する。

Research the mechanism by which cell division stops.

Scientific context.

歴史の歯車が止まることは、誰にも許されない。

No one is allowed to stop the gears of history.

Metaphorical/Grand scale.

彼の才能は、単なる趣味の域に止まっている。

His talent remains merely at the level of a hobby.

Meaning 'to remain within a limit'.

静止衛星は、地球の自転と同じ速度で動いているため、止まっているように見える。

Geostationary satellites appear to be stopped because they move at the same speed as Earth's rotation.

Technical/Scientific explanation.

万物流転の理において、真に止まるものなど存在しない。

In the principle of universal flux, nothing truly stops.

Philosophical/Classical style.

その凄惨な光景に、思考回路が完全に止まった。

At that gruesome sight, my thought processes completely shut down.

Advanced psychological description.

権力の暴走を止める術はなく、ただ事態を傍観するに止まった。

There was no way to stop the runaway power, and I could only stand by and watch.

Complex sentence with 'ni tomaru'.

鼓動が止まるその瞬間まで、彼は筆を離さなかった。

Until the very moment his heartbeat stopped, he did not let go of his brush.

Literary narrative.

情報の奔流は止まることを知らず、我々を飲み込んでいく。

The torrent of information knows no stopping and swallows us up.

Personification of information.

その議論は、結局平行線のまま止まってしまった。

The discussion ended up stalling in a deadlock.

Idiomatic 'deadlock'.

静寂の中に、時が止まったかのような悠久の調べが響く。

In the silence, an eternal melody echoes as if time had stopped.

Poetic/Aesthetic description.

彼の野心は、一国の王に止まるものではなかった。

His ambition was not something that would stop at being the king of a single country.

Advanced limit expression.

Häufige Kollokationen

車が止まる

時計が止まる

雨が止まる

息が止まる

心臓が止まる

電気が止まる

足が止まる

思考が止まる

目に止まる

枝に止まる

Häufige Phrasen

足が止まる

息が止まる

目が止まる

時が止まる

動きが止まる

供給が止まる

運行が止まる

生産が止まる

思考が止まる

手が止まる

Wird oft verwechselt mit

止まる vs 止める

Transitive (I stop it) vs Intransitive (It stops).

止まる vs 泊まる

To stay overnight vs To stop moving.

止まる vs 辞める

To quit a job/habit vs To stop moving.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

Leicht verwechselbar

止まる vs

Satzmuster

So verwendest du es

staying

Always use 泊まる for staying at a hotel.

weather

Use 止む (yamu) for rain/snow more often than 止まる.

vehicles

Use 停まる for official stops like stations.

Häufige Fehler

Using 'を' instead of 'が' (e.g., 車を止まる).
Confusing 止まる with 泊まる (staying at a hotel).
Using 止まる for quitting a habit (should be やめる).
Confusing the transitive 止める with the intransitive 止まる.
Using 止まる for 'ending' a meeting (should be 終わる or 終了する).

Tipps

Particle Choice

Always use the particle 'が' with 止まる. Since it is an intransitive verb, the subject is the thing that is stopping. For example, 'バスが止まる'. If you use 'を', the sentence will be grammatically incorrect. This is the most important rule to remember for this verb.

Homophone Alert

Be careful with 止まる (stop) and 泊まる (stay). They are both pronounced 'tomaru'. Use 止まる for cars and clocks, and 泊まる for hotels and houses. Context usually helps, but in writing, the kanji is essential. Remember: 泊 has the water radical, like a port where ships stay.

The Foot Kanji

The kanji 止 looks like a foot. Imagine a foot coming down and staying still. This will help you remember that it means 'stop'. It is a very simple kanji with only 4 strokes. It is also a radical found in many other kanji like 正 and 歩.

Taxi Etiquette

When you want a taxi to stop, say 'ここで止めてください' (Koko de tomete kudasai). Notice we use 'tomete' (from 止める) because you are asking the driver to stop the car. If you say '止まってください', it sounds like you are talking to the car itself! Using the transitive form is more natural here.

State vs Action

Use '止まった' for the moment something stopped, and '止まっている' for something that is currently in a stopped state. For example, 'The clock stopped at 5:00' is '5時に止まった'. 'The clock is currently stopped' is '時計が止まっている'. This distinction is vital for accurate descriptions.

Public Announcements

In Japanese trains, you will hear '次は、[Station]に止まります'. This is the polite way to say 'Next, we will stop at [Station]'. Listening for this phrase is a great way to practice your listening skills while traveling in Japan. It's one of the most common phrases you'll hear.

Formal vs Casual

In a diary or casual letter, use 止まる. In a technical report or a formal announcement, consider using 停止 (teishi). Using the Kango (Chinese-origin) version makes your writing sound more professional and precise. However, for everyday things like rain or a watch, 止まる is always fine.

Breathless Beauty

The phrase '息が止まる' (iki ga tomaru) is used just like 'to take one's breath away' in English. Use it when you see something incredibly beautiful or shocking. It's a great way to add emotion to your Japanese. For example, 'その美しさに息が止まった' (I was breathless at that beauty).

Road Signs

The '止まれ' (Tomare) sign is one of the first things you should learn if you plan to drive or even cycle in Japan. It is a red triangle with white text. Obeying this sign is strictly enforced. Even if there are no other cars, you must come to a complete stop.

Perching Birds

It might seem strange that 'stop' is used for birds, but in Japanese, '止まる' describes the act of a bird ceasing its flight to land on something. It's a very common way to describe nature. You can also use it for insects like butterflies landing on flowers.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Imagine a 'TO-mato' (tomaru) rolling down a hill and suddenly hitting a wall and stopping.

Wortherkunft

Kultureller Kontext

The 'Tomare' sign is one of the most recognizable kanji in Japan.

Announcements for stops are very specific about which side the doors open.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Gesprächseinstiege

"すみません、このバスは新宿駅に止まりますか？"

"あ、雨が止みましたね。"

"時計が止まってしまったのですが、直せますか？"

"急にパソコンが止まったらどうしますか？"

"あの鳥、珍しいですね。枝に止まっていますよ。"

Tagebuch-Impulse

今日、道で止まっている珍しい車を見ましたか？

仕事や勉強が止まってしまった時、どうやって再開しますか？

時間が止まってほしいと思った瞬間はありますか？

最近、何かを「やめた」ことと、何かが「止まった」ことはありますか？

心臓が止まるほど驚いた経験を書いてください。

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

止まる is intransitive, meaning something stops by itself (e.g., The car stops). 止める is transitive, meaning someone stops something (e.g., I stop the car). This is a fundamental distinction in Japanese grammar. You use 'ga' with 止まる and 'o' with 止める. Understanding this pair is key to basic fluency.

No, you should use 辞める (yameru) for quitting a job or a habit. 止まる is for physical or functional cessation. If you say '仕事が止まった', it means the work process has halted, not that you quit. Using the wrong word can lead to confusion about whether you are unemployed or just having a break.

Yes, but 止む (yamu) is more common for rain or snow. However, you can say '雨が止まった' to describe the physical act of rain ceasing. In many cases, they are interchangeable, but 'yamu' specifically refers to the weather clearing up. 'Tomaru' is more general.

It is an idiom meaning 'to catch one's eye' or 'to be noticed'. It literally means 'to stop in the eye'. It is often used when you are looking at many things and one specific thing grabs your attention. It's a very common and useful expression in both casual and formal Japanese.

You say '時計が止まりました' (Tokei ga tomarimashita). If it is currently in a stopped state, you say '時計が止まっています' (Tokei ga tomante imasu). This is a classic example of using the ~te iru form to describe a continuous state resulting from a past action.

Yes, when a bird lands on a branch, you use 止まる to mean 'to perch'. For example, '鳥が電線に止まっている' (A bird is perched on the power line). This is a specific use case that learners often find interesting because it translates to 'stop' but means 'land and stay'.

The imperative form is '止まれ' (Tomare). You will see this written on red triangular road signs all over Japan. It is a very strong command. In a more polite request, you would say '止まってください' (Tomatte kudasai).

止まる is the general, everyday word for 'stop'. 停止する (teishi suru) is a formal, Sino-Japanese (Kango) word. You see '停止' in news reports, technical manuals, or legal documents. For example, a 'temporary stop' on a train is '臨時停車' (rinji teisha).

停まる is a specific kanji variant used for vehicles stopping at a designated place, like a bus at a bus stop or a train at a station. While 止まる is the general kanji, using 停まる is more precise for transportation contexts. In most casual writing, 止まる is sufficient.

Only in the sense of 'staying in a position' (like a bird) or 'staying within a limit'. If you mean 'staying at a hotel', you must use the homophone 泊まる (tomaru). They sound the same but the kanji are different. This is one of the most common mistakes for beginners.