止める
You can use 止める to talk about making something stop moving or happening.
Explanation at your level:
Hello! Today we learn a word: 止める (tomeru). It means to make something stop. Like, if a ball is rolling, you can 止める it. Or, if your friend is running, you can say, 'Stop!' using 止める. It is like saying 'stop!' to a toy or a game. You can 止める a car. You can say 止めて (tomete) to ask someone to stop something. It is a very useful word when you want things to be still or end.
Hi! Let's talk about 止める (tomeru). This verb means to stop something. It's used when you are actively making something halt. For example, you can 車を止める (kuruma o tomeru), which means to stop a car. You can also use it to stop an action, like telling someone 走るのを止めて (hashiru no o tomete) – 'stop running'. Remember, it's transitive, so you need something to stop, like ドアを止める (doa o tomeru) – to stop the door. It’s a key verb for controlling actions around you.
Let's explore 止める (tomeru), a fundamental Japanese verb for 'to stop' something. It's used when you actively intervene to halt an action, movement, or process. You'll frequently hear it in contexts like 車を止める (kuruma o tomeru) (to stop a car) or 話を止める (hanashi o tomeru) (to stop a conversation). It's distinct from やめる (yameru), which often implies quitting or giving up something more permanently. 止める is about immediate cessation. For instance, in a busy street, you might need to クラクションを止める (kurakushon o tomeru) – stop honking the horn. Understanding its usage with the direct object particle を (o) is crucial for clear communication.
The verb 止める (tomeru) signifies the act of causing something to cease or halt. It's a transitive verb, requiring a direct object marked by を (o), indicating what is being stopped. Common collocations include 運動を止める (undō o tomeru) – to stop exercising, or 時計を止める (tokei o tomeru) – to stop a clock. It's important to distinguish 止める from やめる (yameru). While やめる often implies quitting a habit or job (e.g., タバコを止める - tabako o yameru, to quit smoking), 止める is more about halting an ongoing action or preventing something from starting. Consider the nuance: you might 止める a fight (喧嘩を止める - kenka o tomeru) but you would やめる smoking (タバコを止める - tabako o yameru). This verb is central to expressing control and intervention.
止める (tomeru) is a polysemous verb with core meanings revolving around cessation and prevention. Its transitive nature requires an object, typically marked by を (o), specifying the entity being halted. Beyond literal stopping (e.g., 車両を止める - sharyō o tomeru, to stop a vehicle), it can extend to preventing actions or abstract processes. For example, 開発を止める (kaihatsu o tomeru) means to halt development. It's crucial to differentiate it from やめる (yameru), which denotes resignation or abandonment (e.g., 職を辞める - shoku o yameru, to resign from a job). 止める often implies a more immediate or forceful intervention, sometimes even carrying connotations of restraint or prohibition. Idiomatic uses, such as 息を止める (iki o tomeru) – to hold one's breath, showcase its broader semantic range.
The verb 止める (tomeru), derived from the kanji 止, embodies the concept of transitive cessation. Its semantic field encompasses halting movement (歩行を止める - hokō o tomeru), interrupting processes (作業を止める - sagyō o tomeru), and preventing occurrences (侵入を止める - shinnyū o tomeru). Context is paramount in discerning its precise application, especially when contrasted with the more existential 'quitting' implied by やめる (yameru). For instance, 事業を止める (jigyō o tomeru) might refer to suspending operations, whereas 事業を辞める (jigyō o yameru) suggests abandoning the business entirely. Etymologically linked to the concept of halting footsteps, 止める retains a fundamental sense of intervention. Its idiomatic expressions, like 腰を止める (koshi o tomeru) – to stand firm, reveal deeper cultural and historical layers, reflecting its long-standing presence and adaptability within the Japanese language.
Palabra en 30 segundos
- 止める (tomeru) means to actively stop something.
- It's a transitive verb, usually needing an object marked by を (o).
- Distinguish it from やめる (quit) and 止まる (stop by itself).
- Used in many common phrases like stopping cars or holding breath.
Hey there! Let's dive into the super useful Japanese verb 止める (tomeru). Think of it as the go-to word when you want to make something stop. It's not just about halting movement; it can also mean preventing something from happening or even quitting something. Pretty cool, right? We use it in everyday life all the time, from stopping a friend from doing something silly to bringing a noisy machine to a standstill. It’s a transitive verb, meaning it usually needs an object – something that you are stopping. So, you don't just 'tomeru'; you 'tomeru' *something*!
Imagine you're watching a car zoom by. If you want it to stop, you'd use 止める. Or, if your friend is about to spill their drink, you might quickly 止める their hand. It's all about taking action to bring things to a halt. We'll explore how 止める can be used in various situations, from simple commands to more nuanced expressions. Understanding this verb is a big step in mastering Japanese communication, so let's get started on making it stick!
The verb 止める (tomeru) has roots deep in the Japanese language, stemming from the kanji 止, which itself signifies 'to stop' or 'to halt'. This character is quite ancient and has been used for centuries to convey the idea of cessation. Over time, 止める evolved to encompass a broader range of meanings related to stopping, preventing, and even abstaining. It's related to the intransitive verb 止まる (tomaru), which means 'to stop' on its own (like a car stopping by itself). Think of the difference between a car that stops (止まる) and a driver who stops the car (止める).
Historically, the concept of stopping or halting was crucial for survival and societal order. Whether it was stopping an attack, halting a march, or preventing a fire from spreading, the ability to command a stop was vital. The kanji 止 likely originated from a pictograph representing a foot or footsteps, symbolizing the act of halting progress. This fundamental meaning has been preserved and expanded upon, making 止める a core verb in the Japanese lexicon. It’s fascinating how a single character and its associated verb can carry so much history and nuance!
So, when exactly do we whip out 止める? Mostly, it’s when you are actively making something cease. For instance, you can 車を止める (kuruma o tomeru) – stop a car. This is super common! You might also 話を止める (hanashi o tomeru), meaning to stop a conversation, perhaps because it's getting too heated or you need to move on. Another frequent use is 運動を止める (undō o tomeru), which means to stop exercising or participating in a sport, maybe due to injury or simply deciding to quit.
It's important to note the difference between 止める (tomeru) and its cousin, やめる (yameru). While both can mean 'to stop' or 'to quit', やめる often implies quitting something more permanently or giving up a habit (like smoking), whereas 止める is more about halting an action in progress or preventing something. Think of タバコを止める (tabako o yameru) for quitting smoking, and 走るのを止める (hashiru no o tomeru) for stopping someone from running. We often see 止める paired with particles like を (o) to mark the object being stopped. Common phrases include 息を止める (iki o tomeru) – to hold your breath, and 注意を止める (chūi o tomeru) – to stop paying attention or to divert one's attention.
止める pops up in some really interesting expressions! Here are a few you'll want to know:
- 息を止める (iki o tomeru): Literally 'to stop breath'. This means to hold your breath, usually out of surprise, fear, or anticipation. Example: 驚きのあまり、息を止めてしまった。(Odoroki no amari, iki o tomete shimatta.) - I was so surprised that I held my breath.
- 足を止める (ashi o tomeru): Literally 'to stop one's feet'. This means to stop walking, often because something has caught your attention or you've reached a destination. Example: 美しい景色に足を止めた。(Utsukushii keshiki ni ashi o tometa.) - I stopped walking because of the beautiful scenery.
- 耳を止める (mimi o tomeru): Literally 'to stop one's ears'. This is a slightly more literary way to say you've paid attention to something you heard, or that something caught your ear. Example: 彼の言葉に耳を止めた。(Kare no kotoba ni mimi o tometa.) - I paid attention to his words.
- 腰を止める (koshi o tomeru): Literally 'to stop one's waist'. This means to stop moving or to stand still, often in a firm posture. Example: 彼は危険を感じ、腰を止めた。(Kare wa kiken o kanji, koshi o tometa.) - He sensed danger and stopped dead in his tracks.
- 油を止める (abura o tomeru): This is a more specific, often culinary, phrase meaning to stop the oil from boiling or to skim the oil off the surface. Example: 鍋の火を弱めて油を止めた。(Nabe no hi o yowamete abura o tometa.) - I lowered the heat of the pot to stop the oil from boiling so vigorously.
Let's break down the grammar and pronunciation of 止める (tomeru). As a Group 2 (ichidan) verb, it conjugates quite regularly. The dictionary form is 止める (tomeru). The past tense is 止めた (tometa), and the negative form is 止めない (tomenai). For the polite forms, we use 止めます (tomemasu) and 止めません (tomemasen).
The particle を (o) is most commonly used to mark the direct object – the thing you are stopping. For example, ドアを止めてください (Doa o tomete kudasai) – Please stop the door. When stopping an action that someone else is doing, you might use the て-form plus しまう (shimau) to indicate completion or sometimes regret, like 彼を走るのを止めさせてしまった (Kare o hashiru no o tomesasete shimatta) – I ended up making him stop running. Regarding pronunciation, the word has two clear syllables: TO-ME-RU. The stress is relatively even across the syllables, without a strong emphasis on any one part, which is typical for Japanese.
Fun Fact
The kanji 止 itself is believed to be a pictograph of a foot, symbolizing the act of stopping or halting movement.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'toh-MEH-roo', with a slight emphasis on the middle syllable.
Similar to UK, 'toh-MEH-roo', with clear pronunciation of each syllable.
Common Errors
- Adding an English 'r' sound at the end instead of a clear Japanese 'u'.
- Over-stressing the first syllable ('TOH-me-ru') instead of a more even rhythm.
- Pronouncing it too quickly, blurring the syllables together.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy/hard to read
easy/hard to write
easy/hard to speak
easy/hard to listen
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanzado
Grammar to Know
Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs
止める (transitive) vs. 止まる (intransitive)
Using the て-form for Requests
止めてください (tomete kudasai)
Nominalizing Verb Phrases with の
走るのを止める (hashiru no o tomeru)
Examples by Level
車を止めて。
car STOP.
Use て-form for requests.
ゲームを止めて。
game STOP.
Direct object marked by を.
走るのを止めて。
running STOP.
Use の to nominalize the verb 'run'.
時計を止めて。
clock STOP.
Simple imperative sentence.
もう止めて！
already STOP!
もう means 'already' or 'anymore'.
息を止めて。
breath HOLD.
Common phrase.
話を止めてください。
talk STOP please.
Polite request using ください.
足を止めてください。
feet STOP please.
Polite request.
彼はタクシーを止めようとした。
He taxi STOP tried.
ようとする means 'to try to do'.
雨が降ってきたので、散歩を止めた。
rain started falling so, walk STOPPED.
Past tense of 止める.
騒がしいので、音楽を止めてください。
noisy because, music STOP please.
Using て-form for reason.
彼女は冗談を止めるように言った。
She joke STOP as told.
ように言う means 'to tell someone to do something'.
信号が赤になったので、車を止めた。
traffic light red became so, car STOPPED.
Using ので for reason.
子供がお菓子を食べるのを止めた。
Nominalizing the verb phrase.
会議の途中で、彼は電話を止めた。
meeting during, he phone STOPPED.
途中で means 'in the middle of'.
その音は私の集中を止めた。
that sound my concentration STOPPED.
止める can also mean to divert attention.
急ブレーキをかけて、彼は自転車を止めた。
sudden brake applying, he bicycle STOPPED.
Using て-form to show sequence of actions.
彼女は新しいプロジェクトへの参加を止めることにした。
She new project to participation STOP decided.
ことにする means 'to decide to do'.
彼は、無駄な議論を止めるよう皆に促した。
He, useless argument STOP as everyone urged.
促す (unagasu) means 'to urge'.
その知らせを聞いて、彼は思わず足を止めた。
that news hearing, he unintentionally feet STOPPED.
思わず means 'unintentionally' or 'involuntarily'.
政府は、環境破壊を止めるための新しい法律を導入した。
government, environmental destruction STOP for new law introduced.
ための (tame no) means 'for the purpose of'.
彼は、自分の感情を抑えるために、息を止めた。
He, his own emotions suppress to, breath HELD.
Using 息を止める figuratively.
この騒音は本当に集中を止める。
this noise really concentration STOP.
止める used for diverting attention.
彼は、危険な行為を止めるように警告された。
He, dangerous act STOP as warned.
警告される (keikoku sareru) means 'to be warned'.
開発業者に、その建設計画を止めるよう圧力をかけた。
developer on, that construction plan STOP as pressure put.
圧力をかける (atsuryoku o kakeru) means 'to exert pressure'.
彼は、衝動的に行動するのを止めるため、瞑想を始めた。
He, impulsively act STOP to, meditation started.
Using ため (tame) for purpose.
その芸術家は、社会の矛盾を表現するために、あえて古い慣習を止めた。
That artist, society's contradictions express to, dared old customs STOPPED.
あえて (aete) means 'daringly'.
歴史の流れを止めることは誰にもできない。
history's flow STOP it is impossible for anyone.
Using 止める with abstract concepts.
彼は、将来の世代のために、この有害な習慣を止めるべきだと主張した。
He, future generations for, this harmful habit STOP should he argued.
～べきだ (beki da) means 'should'.
そのニュースは、人々の足を止め、議論を巻き起こした。
that news, people's feet STOPPED, discussion caused.
足が止まる (ashi ga tomaru) - to stop walking.
彼は、感情的な反応を止めるために、一度深呼吸をした。
He, emotional reaction STOP to, once deep breath took.
Figurative use of 息を止める.
この問題に対する公の議論を止めることは、賢明ではないだろう。
this problem regarding public discussion STOP it, wise not would be.
Using 止める in a formal context.
当局は、デモ隊の進軍を止めるために、道路を封鎖した。
authorities, protesters' advance STOP to, road blocked.
封鎖する (fūsa suru) means 'to blockade'.
彼は、自らのキャリアを犠牲にしてでも、その不正を止めることを決意していた。
He, his own career sacrifice even, that injustice STOP decision made.
決意する (ketsui suru) means 'to be determined'.
その作家は、社会の偽善を暴くために、意図的にタブー視されていたテーマに切り込んだ。
That writer, society's hypocrisy expose to, intentionally taboo-viewed themes cut into.
切り込む (kirikomu) - to cut into, to delve into.
歴史の必然的な流れを止めることはできないが、その方向性を変えることは可能だ。
history's inevitable flow STOP it cannot, but its direction change is possible.
Distinguishing impossibility from influencing direction.
彼は、自己破壊的な傾向を止めるため、専門家の助けを求めた。
He, self-destructive tendencies STOP to, professional help sought.
自己破壊的 (jiko hakai teki) - self-destructive.
その予期せぬ出来事は、街の喧騒を一時的に止めた。
That unexpected event, city's bustle temporarily STOPPED.
一時的に (ichijiteki ni) - temporarily.
彼は、感情の昂ぶりを止めるべく、冷たい水で顔を洗った。
He, emotions' surge STOP in order to, cold water with face washed.
昂ぶり (takaburi) - surge, excitement. ～べく (beku) - in order to.
この種の議論は、しばしば建設的な解決策を見出す努力を止めてしまう。
This kind of argument, often constructive solutions find effort STOP.
しばしば (shibashiba) - often. ～てしまう (-te shimau) - implies completion or regret.
権力者は、民衆の不満の高まりを止めるため、言論統制を強化した。
those in power, populace's discontent's rise STOP to, freedom of speech control strengthened.
言論統制 (genron tōsei) - censorship.
彼は、自らの芸術的良心の呵責に耐えかね、商業主義への傾倒を止めることを決断した。
He, his own artistic conscience's pangs endure unable, commercialism towards leaning STOP decision made.
呵責 (kashaku) - pangs of conscience. 傾倒 (keitō) - leaning towards.
その哲学者によれば、人間の本質的な自由意志の行使を止めることは、存在そのものを否定することに等しい。
That philosopher according to, human essential free will's exercise STOP it, existence itself deny equal.
存在 (sonzai) - existence. ～に等しい (-ni hitoshii) - equivalent to.
歴史の不可逆的な進行を止めることはできないが、その軌跡に意味を与えることはできる。
history's irreversible progression STOP it cannot, but its trajectory meaning give is possible.
不可逆的 (fukagyaku teki) - irreversible. 軌跡 (kiseki) - trajectory, path.
彼は、自己の内なる葛藤を止めるため、長年探求してきた道から一時的に離れることを選択した。
He, self's inner conflict STOP to, many years explored path from temporarily leave chose.
内なる葛藤 (uchinaru kattō) - inner conflict.
その予期せぬ静寂は、都市の絶え間ない喧騒に慣れた耳には、あたかも時間の流れが止まったかのように感じられた。
That unexpected silence, city's ceaseless bustle accustomed ears, as if time's flow stopped as felt.
あたかも～かのよう (atakamō...ka no yō) - as if.
彼は、感情の激しい波を鎮めるべく、古来より伝わる精神修養法を実践した。
He, emotions' intense waves calm in order to, ancient times passed down spiritual discipline practiced.
精神修養法 (seishin shūyō hō) - spiritual discipline/training.
この種の不毛な論争は、しばしば、真の進歩を達成するための協調的な努力を阻害する。
This kind of fruitless debate, often, true progress achieve for cooperative effort hinder.
不毛な (fumō na) - fruitless. 阻害する (sogai suru) - to hinder, impede.
Colocaciones comunes
Idioms & Expressions
"息を止める (iki o tomeru)"
To hold one's breath, usually out of surprise, fear, or anticipation.
そのニュースを聞いて、思わず息を止めてしまった。(Sono nyūsu o kiite, omowazu iki o tomete shimatta.) - Hearing that news, I involuntarily held my breath.
neutral"足を止める (ashi o tomeru)"
To stop walking, often because something has caught your attention or you've reached a destination.
美しいショーウィンドウに足を止めた。(Utsukushii shō uindō ni ashi o tometa.) - I stopped walking to look at the beautiful shop window.
neutral"耳を止める (mimi o tomeru)"
To pay attention to something heard; to catch one's ear.
彼の提案に耳を止めた。(Kare no teian ni mimi o tometa.) - I paid attention to his proposal.
neutral/literary"腰を止める (koshi o tomeru)"
To stand still; to stop moving firmly.
彼は突然の物音に腰を止めた。(Kare wa totsuzen no monooto ni koshi o tometa.) - He stopped dead in his tracks at the sudden noise.
neutral"油を止める (abura o tomeru)"
To stop oil from boiling vigorously or to skim oil.
鍋の火加減を調整して油を止めた。(Nabe no hikagen o chōsei shite abura o tometa.) - I adjusted the heat of the pot to stop the oil from boiling so much.
culinary/neutral"手心を止める (teshinagoro o tomeru)"
To stop being lenient; to become strict or severe.
不正に対しては手心を止めて対処すべきだ。(Fusei ni taishite wa teshinagoro o tomete taisho subeki da.) - We should deal with unfairness strictly.
formal/literaryEasily Confused
Both mean 'to stop' or 'to quit'.
止める (tomeru) is typically used to stop an ongoing action or movement (transitive). やめる (yameru) is more often used for quitting a habit, job, or activity more permanently.
車を止める (kuruma o tomeru) - to stop a car. タバコを止める (tabako o yameru) - to quit smoking.
Shares the same kanji (止) and relates to stopping.
止まる (tomaru) is intransitive - something stops by itself (e.g., The car stopped - 車が止まった). 止める (tomeru) is transitive - you stop something (e.g., I stopped the car - 車を止めた).
電車が止まった。(Densha ga tomatta.) - The train stopped. 運転手は電車を止めた。(Untenshu wa densha o tometa.) - The driver stopped the train.
Both relate to stopping or ceasing.
中止する (chūshi suru) means to cancel or suspend, often implying a planned event or activity that will not proceed as scheduled. 止める (tomeru) is more general for stopping an action.
イベントを中止する (ibento o chūshi suru) - to cancel the event. 会話を止める (kaiwa o tomeru) - to stop the conversation.
Both imply a pause or interruption.
中断する (chūdan suru) means to interrupt or suspend something temporarily, with the expectation of resuming it later. 止める (tomeru) can mean a more definitive stop or halt.
会議を中断する (kaigi o chūdan suru) - to interrupt the meeting (planning to continue later). 議論を止める (giron o tomeru) - to stop the argument (perhaps permanently).
Sentence Patterns
Noun + を + 止める
信号で車を止めた。(Shingō de kuruma o tometa.) - I stopped the car at the signal.
Verb (て-form) + ください
走るのを止めてください。(Hashiru no o tomete kudasai.) - Please stop running.
Verb (dictionary form) + の + を + 止める
彼はタバコを吸うのを止めた。(Kare wa tabako o suu no o yameta.) - He quit smoking. (Note: やめた is often preferred here)
Noun + を + 止める + ように + 言う/促す
先生は生徒に騒ぐのを止めるように言った。(Sensei wa seito ni sawagu no o tomeru yō ni itta.) - The teacher told the students to stop making noise.
Noun + を + 止める + ために/ために
事故を止めるために、スピードを落とした。(Jiko o tomeru tame ni, supīdo o otoshita.) - In order to prevent an accident, I slowed down.
Familia de palabras
Nouns
Verbs
Relacionado
How to Use It
Formality Scale
Errores comunes
While both can mean 'to stop,' やめる implies a more permanent cessation or quitting, whereas 止める is about halting something ongoing.
Example: The car stopped (車が止まった - kuruma ga tomatta). I stopped the car (車を止めた - kuruma o tometa).
止める is a transitive verb and requires a direct object.
Example: 夢を止める (yume o tomeru) sounds odd; 夢を諦める (yume o akirameru - give up a dream) or 夢を捨てる (yume o suteru - abandon a dream) are better. However, 計画を止める (keikaku o tomeru - stop a plan) is correct.
Japanese pronunciation generally lacks strong stress patterns found in English, making even pronunciation important.
Tips
The 'Tom' Mnemonic
Remember 'Tom-eru' sounds like 'Tom stops'. Imagine your friend Tom always halting things!
Stop vs. Quit
Always think: Am I stopping something *in progress* (use 止める), or am I *quitting* something permanently (use やめる)? This is key!
Politeness Matters
While 止めて (tomete) is a direct command, adding ください (kudasai) makes it polite. Use context to decide the right level of politeness.
The Object Particle
Don't forget the を (o) particle! 止める needs to know *what* you're stopping.
Clear Syllables
Pronounce each syllable (TO-ME-RU) clearly and evenly. Avoid rushing!
Don't Confuse Transitive/Intransitive
Remember: *You* stop something (止める), something stops *by itself* (止まる).
The Foot Kanji
The kanji 止 originally looked like a foot, symbolizing halting movement. Cool, right?
Contextual Learning
Learn 止める with common phrases like 車を止める or 息を止める. Seeing it in action helps it stick!
Stopping Actions vs. Habits
Use 止める for stopping a car, a fight, or a conversation. Use やめる for quitting smoking, a job, or a bad habit.
Nominalizing Actions
Use Verb + の + を + 止める to stop an action itself, e.g., 走るのを止める (hashiru no o tomeru) - to stop running.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine someone named 'Tom' who always stops everything he does! 'Tom-eru' = Tom stops.
Visual Association
Picture a red stop sign with the kanji 止 inside it.
Word Web
Desafío
Try using 止める five times today in different contexts: stopping a car, stopping a game, stopping a friend from doing something.
Origen de la palabra
Japanese
Original meaning: To halt, to stand still (from the kanji 止, representing a footstep or halting).
Contexto cultural
While 'stop' is a neutral command, its application can be sensitive. For example, demanding someone stop an action without reason could be seen as rude. Context and politeness are key.
In English-speaking cultures, the concept of stopping is fundamental, seen in traffic laws, workplace safety, and social etiquette. The directness of 'stop' can sometimes be softened with phrases like 'could you pause for a moment?'
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Driving/Traffic
- 車を止める (kuruma o tomeru) - to stop a car
- 信号で止まる (shingō de tomaru) - to stop at a signal (intransitive)
- 駐車する (chūsha suru) - to park (related concept)
Conversations/Discussions
- 話を止める (hanashi o tomeru) - to stop talking
- 議論を止める (giron o tomeru) - to stop an argument
- 黙る (damaru) - to become silent (intransitive)
Physical Actions
- 走るのを止める (hashiru no o tomeru) - to stop running
- 息を止める (iki o tomeru) - to hold one's breath
- 足を止める (ashi o tomeru) - to stop walking
Quitting/Discontinuing (with nuance)
- 運動を止める (undō o tomeru) - to stop exercising
- タバコを止める (tabako o yameru) - to quit smoking (using やめる)
- 計画を中止する (keikaku o chūshi suru) - to cancel a plan
Conversation Starters
"What did you do today to 止める something?"
"Have you ever had to 止める someone from doing something dangerous?"
"What's something you decided to 止める (or やめる) recently?"
"If you could 止める anything in the world right now, what would it be?"
"Can you think of a time when you had to hold your breath (息を止める)?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a situation where you had to use 止める. What was the context?
Reflect on the difference between 止める and やめる. Write sentences using both.
Imagine you are a traffic controller. Write a short paragraph about stopping cars using 止める.
Write a short story where a character needs to 止める an action. What happens?
Preguntas frecuentes
8 preguntas止める (tomeru) is used to stop an action or movement that is currently happening (e.g., stopping a car). やめる (yameru) is generally used for quitting something more permanently, like a habit, a job, or a hobby (e.g., quitting smoking).
No, you cannot 'stop' rain with 止める. Rain stops by itself (雨が止む - ame ga yamu, or 雨が止まる - ame ga tomaru). You can't actively stop it. For abstract things like 'plans', you might say 計画を中止する (keikaku o chūshi suru - cancel a plan) or 計画を止める (keikaku o tomeru - stop a plan).
Yes, in some contexts, 止める can imply prevention. For example, you might say 事故を止める (jiko o tomeru) - to prevent an accident, although other verbs like 防ぐ (fusegu - to prevent) might be more common depending on the nuance.
It literally means 'to stop breath' and is used to describe holding your breath, usually due to surprise, fear, or anticipation.
Yes, they are closely related. 止める (tomeru) is the transitive verb (you stop something), while 止まる (tomaru) is the intransitive verb (something stops by itself). Example: I stopped the car (車を止めた - kuruma o tometa) vs. The car stopped (車が止まった - kuruma ga tomatta).
Use the て-form: 止めてください (tomete kudasai) - Please stop.
Yes, you can say 喧嘩を止める (kenka o tomeru) - to stop a fight. This implies actively intervening to halt the conflict.
止める is a general verb for stopping something. 中止する (chūshi suru) specifically means to cancel or suspend something, often implying it was planned (like an event or activity) and will not happen as scheduled.
Ponte a prueba
すみません、ここで車を＿＿＿ください。
We need the verb 'to stop' here, which is 止める. The て-form is used for polite requests.
Which Japanese verb means 'to stop something' (transitive)?
止める (tomeru) is the transitive verb meaning 'to stop something'. 止まる (tomaru) is intransitive ('to stop by itself').
You can use 止める (tomeru) to say you quit smoking.
While both can mean 'to stop', やめる (yameru) is more commonly used for quitting habits like smoking. 止める is more for stopping an action in progress.
Word
Significado
These are common idiomatic uses of 止める.
The sentence should be: 雨が止んだので、傘を止めた。(Ame ga yanda node, kasa o tometa.) - Because the rain stopped, I stopped using my umbrella. (Note: This example uses 止んだ as the intransitive form, and 止めた as transitive. A more natural sentence might use やめた for 'stopped using'). Let's rephrase for clarity: 雨が降ってきたので、散歩を止めた。(Ame ga futte kita node, sanpo o tometa.) - Because it started raining, I stopped my walk.
危ない！そのナイフを＿＿＿！
You want to tell someone to stop using a dangerous knife, so 'tomete' is correct.
Which phrase means 'to stop a conversation'?
話を止める specifically means to stop the act of talking or the conversation itself.
The verb 止める (tomeru) can be used to describe stopping abstract concepts like 'development'.
Yes, 止める can be used transitively for abstract things, e.g., 開発を止める (kaihatsu o tomeru) - to stop development.
怪我をしたので、スポーツを＿＿＿。
Since the reason is injury, 'quit' or 'stopped permanently' is implied, making やめた (yameta) the better choice here, although 止めた could also be understood.
The sentence should be: 我々は不毛な議論を止めるべきだ。(Wareware wa fumō na giron o tomeru beki da.) - We should stop the fruitless argument.
Which phrase implies stopping something by legal or official means?
差し止める specifically means to prohibit or forbid, often through official channels.
信号が赤なので、車を＿＿＿。
The car stopped because the light was red. The past tense of the transitive verb 止める is 止めた.
Puntuación: /12
Summary
Mastering 止める (tomeru) is essential for expressing control and cessation in Japanese, from simple commands to nuanced actions.
- 止める (tomeru) means to actively stop something.
- It's a transitive verb, usually needing an object marked by を (o).
- Distinguish it from やめる (quit) and 止まる (stop by itself).
- Used in many common phrases like stopping cars or holding breath.
The 'Tom' Mnemonic
Remember 'Tom-eru' sounds like 'Tom stops'. Imagine your friend Tom always halting things!
Stop vs. Quit
Always think: Am I stopping something *in progress* (use 止める), or am I *quitting* something permanently (use やめる)? This is key!
Politeness Matters
While 止めて (tomete) is a direct command, adding ください (kudasai) makes it polite. Use context to decide the right level of politeness.
The Object Particle
Don't forget the を (o) particle! 止める needs to know *what* you're stopping.
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