とまる
This word means to stop, like when a car stops or when you stop doing something.
Explanation at your level:
Hello! Today we learn the word とまる (tomaru). It means 'to stop'. Imagine a car! The car goes, goes, goes, then it needs to stop. 車がとまる (kuruma ga tomaru). This means 'The car stops'. It is very simple! When you are walking, you can stop too. 歩くのをとまる (aruku no o tomaru). This means 'to stop walking'. Think of a red light for cars. The cars must stop. It is a very useful word for talking about things that are not moving anymore. You can use it for buses, trains, and even yourself!
Let's talk about とまる (tomaru), which means 'to stop'. This is an important verb for describing when movement comes to an end. For example, a bus will stop at the bus station: バスがバス停にとまる (basu ga basutei ni tomaru). You can also use it when you decide to stop doing something, like stopping your work for a break: 仕事をとめて休憩する (shigoto o tomete kyūkei suru). Remember, tomaru is used when the subject itself stops. If you want to say you stopped something, you use a different verb (tomeru). So, tomaru is for things like 'the train stops', 'the rain stops', or 'I stop walking'. It's a very common word you'll hear and use a lot!
The Japanese verb とまる (tomaru) is essential for expressing the concept of 'stopping'. It's an intransitive verb, meaning the subject performs the action of stopping itself. A classic example is transportation: 電車が駅にとまる (densha ga eki ni tomaru) - 'The train stops at the station'. You can also use it for people halting their movement: 彼は立ちとまった (kare wa tachitomatta) - 'He stopped walking/standing'.
Beyond physical motion, tomaru can describe the cessation of other things. For instance, 雨がとまった (ame ga tomatta) means 'The rain stopped'. It can even be used in slightly more abstract ways, like 会話がとまる (kaiwa ga tomaru) - 'The conversation stops'. Understanding the difference between tomaru (intransitive) and tomeru (transitive, 'to stop something') is key. For example, 車がとまる (the car stops) vs. 私が車をとめる (I stop the car). Mastering tomaru will significantly improve your ability to describe everyday events.
とまる (tomaru), meaning 'to stop', is a versatile intransitive verb used widely in Japanese. Its core function is to describe a subject ceasing its motion or activity. This applies to vehicles, people, and even abstract concepts. For instance, 飛行機が滑走路にとまった (hikōki ga kappōro ni tomatta) - 'The airplane stopped on the runway'. It can also describe a pause in an action: 作業をとめて、休憩を取った (sagyō o tomete, kyūkei o totta) - 'Stopping the work, I took a break'.
The nuance lies in its intransitive nature. Contrast it with the transitive とめる (tomeru). While バスがとまる (basu ga tomaru) means 'the bus stops', 運転手がバスをとめる (unten-shu ga basu o tomeru) means 'the driver stops the bus'. Tomaru can also describe the end of phenomena: 物音がとまった (monooto ga tomatta) - 'The sound stopped'. Metaphorically, it can suggest a halt in progress or a moment of reflection. For example, 彼の成長はとまったかのようだ (kare no seichō wa tomatta ka no yō da) - 'His growth seems to have stopped'. Pay attention to context to distinguish its various applications.
The verb とまる (tomaru), signifying cessation of motion or activity, is a cornerstone of describing stasis in Japanese. As an intransitive verb, it denotes that the subject itself comes to a halt. This can range from the concrete, such as 列車が定刻通りにとまった (ressha ga teikoku-dōri ni tomatta) - 'The train stopped on schedule', to the more abstract, like 議論が平行線をたどってとまった (giron ga heikōsen o tadotte tomatta) - 'The discussion stalled, following parallel lines'.
The distinction between tomaru and its transitive counterpart tomeru is crucial. 心臓がとまる (shinzō ga tomaru) - 'The heart stops' (a critical event), versus 医者が患者の心臓をとめた (isha ga kanja no shinzō o tometa) - 'The doctor stopped the patient's heart' (medically induced or hypothetical). Tomaru can also imply a pause for observation or contemplation, as in ふと足をとめて、景色を眺めた (futo ashi o tomete, keshiki o nagameta) - 'I suddenly stopped my feet and gazed at the scenery'. Its usage can extend to phenomena like インフレがとまる兆しがない (infure ga tomaru kizashi ga nai) - 'There's no sign of inflation stopping'. Mastery involves recognizing these varied applications, from literal stopping to metaphorical stagnation.
The verb とまる (tomaru), fundamentally meaning 'to stop', offers a rich semantic field extending beyond simple cessation of movement. Its intransitive nature signifies self-initiated or inherent halting. Consider its use in describing the end of natural processes: 火山活動がとまる (kazan katsudō ga tomaru) - 'Volcanic activity ceases'. This contrasts sharply with the transitive とめる (tomeru), which implies external agency: 政府が開発をとめた (seifu ga kaihatsu o tometa) - 'The government halted the development'.
In literature and formal discourse, tomaru can carry connotations of finality or a significant pause. 彼のキャリアはそこでとまった (kare no kyaria wa soko de tomatta) - 'His career stopped there'. It can also be employed to describe a state of being stuck or unresolved, as in 問題がとまったまま解決しない (mondai ga tomatta mama kaiketsu shinai) - 'The problem remains unresolved, stuck in limbo'. The idiomatic use of 止まることを知らない (tomaru koto o shiranai), meaning 'unstoppable', highlights the verb's capacity for nuanced expression. Etymologically linked to the character 止, which signifies prohibition and boundary, tomaru embodies the concept of reaching a limit or an end point, whether physical, temporal, or conceptual.
واژه در 30 ثانیه
- <strong>Tomaru</strong> (止まる) means 'to stop' (intransitive).
- Used for vehicles, people, and abstract concepts.
- Distinguish from <strong>tomeru</strong> (to stop something).
- Common in daily life, transportation, and figurative language.
Hey there! Let's dive into the super useful Japanese verb とまる (tomaru). At its core, this word means 'to stop'. Think about all the times things stop in your day: a bus stops at the bus stop, you stop walking when you reach your destination, or maybe your computer stops working for a bit. Tomaru covers all these situations!
It's a versatile verb that can be used in many different contexts. Whether you're talking about physical movement, like a car coming to a halt, or a more abstract idea, like a process coming to an end, tomaru is likely the word you'll need. It's one of those fundamental verbs that you'll encounter constantly as you learn Japanese, so getting a good grasp of it is key to building your fluency. We'll explore its nuances and how to use it like a native speaker!
The verb とまる (tomaru), meaning 'to stop', has roots deep in the Japanese language. Its kanji form, 止, is quite ancient and has been used for centuries to denote stopping or preventing. The character itself visually suggests a foot halting movement, perhaps with a stroke indicating an obstruction or a boundary.
Historically, the verb has maintained its core meaning of cessation of motion. In older forms of Japanese, variations of this verb existed, but tomaru became the standard form for intransitive stopping. It's related to the transitive verb とめる (tomeru), which means 'to stop something' (e.g., 'to stop a car'). Think of it like the difference between 'the car stops' (intransitive) and 'I stop the car' (transitive). This distinction is common in many languages, and Japanese is no exception. The character 止 also appears in words related to prohibition and boundaries, reinforcing its fundamental meaning of halting or preventing.
とまる (tomaru) is a fundamental verb used in countless everyday situations. You'll hear it most often when talking about transportation: 電車が駅にとまる (densha ga eki ni tomaru) - 'The train stops at the station'. It's also used for people stopping their movement: 歩くのをとまる (aruku no o tomaru) - 'to stop walking'.
Beyond physical stopping, tomaru can describe things coming to a halt. For example, 火がとまる (hi ga tomaru) can mean 'the fire goes out' or 'the fire stops burning'. It can even be used metaphorically, like 時間がとまる (jikan ga tomaru) - 'time stops'. When using tomaru, remember it's an intransitive verb, meaning the subject itself is stopping, not being stopped by something else (that would use とめる - tomeru). This distinction is crucial for correct usage. Common collocations include バスがとまる (basu ga tomaru - the bus stops), 車がとまる (kuruma ga tomaru - the car stops), and 息がとまる (iki ga tomaru - to hold one's breath or to be out of breath).
While とまる (tomaru) itself is quite direct, it appears in several expressions that add color to the language. These phrases often extend the core meaning of 'stopping' into more figurative territory.
Here are a few common ones:
- 息をのむ (iki o nomu): Literally 'to swallow one's breath', this idiom means to be astonished or to gasp in surprise. While it doesn't directly use tomaru, the implication is that one's breath momentarily stops. Example: その景色に息をのんだ。(Sono keshiki ni iki o nonde. - I gasped at the scenery.)
- 足をとめる (ashi o tomeru): This uses the transitive verb とめる (tomeru), meaning 'to stop one's feet'. It implies pausing to look at something or being captivated by it. Example: 美しい花に足をとめられた。(Utsukushii hana ni ashi o tomerareta. - My feet were stopped by the beautiful flowers.)
- 手がとまる (te ga tomaru): Similar to the above, this means 'one's hands stop'. It suggests pausing an activity, often out of surprise or concern. Example: 突然の物音に手がとまった。(Totsuzen no monooto ni te ga tomatta. - My hands stopped upon hearing a sudden noise.)
- 血がとまる (chi ga tomaru): This literally means 'blood stops'. It can refer to a wound stopping bleeding, or more figuratively, to feeling frozen with fear. Example: 恐怖で血がとまったようだ。(Kyōfu de chi ga tomatta yō da. - It felt like my blood had stopped due to fear.)
- 止まることを知らない (tomaru koto o shiranai): This phrase means 'knows no stopping' or 'unstoppable'. It describes something that continues relentlessly. Example: 彼の勢いは止まることを知らない。(Kare no ikioi wa tomaru koto o shiranai. - His momentum is unstoppable.)
とまる (tomaru) is a Group 1 (u-verb) verb in Japanese. This means its conjugation follows a predictable pattern. For example, the past tense is とまった (tomatta), the te-form is とまって (tomatte), and the potential form (can stop) is とまれる (tomareru).
Pronunciation is fairly straightforward. The 'to' sound is like the English word 'toe', 'ma' is like 'mah', and 'ru' is a soft 'roo' sound, similar to the 'u' in 'put' but with a slight roll if you can manage it. The stress is relatively even across the syllables. In British English, it sounds like 'toh-mah-roo'. In American English, it's very similar, perhaps a slightly flatter 'toh-mah-roo'.
Rhyming words are less common in Japanese due to the syllable structure, but words ending in '-aru' might share a similar feel, like わかる (wakaru - to understand) or はいる (hairu - to enter), though the vowel sounds differ slightly. A common mistake is confusing tomaru (to stop - intransitive) with tomeru (to stop something - transitive). Remember, tomaru is when the subject stops by itself, like バスがとまる (the bus stops), while tomeru is when someone or something else causes the stop, like 私がバスをとめる (I stop the bus).
Fun Fact
The kanji 止 is a radical (component) in many other Japanese words related to stopping, such as 禁 (kin - prohibit) and 防 (bō - defend, prevent), highlighting its core meaning.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'toh-MAH-roo', with the stress on the second syllable and a clear 'roo' sound at the end.
Similar to British, 'toh-MAH-roo', with a slightly flatter 'o' sound and the stress on the second syllable.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing 'ru' too strongly like the English 'rue'. It's softer, closer to the 'u' in 'put'.
- Adding unnecessary stress to the first syllable ('TO-ma-ru'). The stress is on 'MA'.
- Confusing the vowel sounds, making 'o' sound like 'aw' or 'a' sound like 'ay'.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Generally easy, but metaphorical uses can be harder.
Easy to use correctly in basic contexts, harder to master nuances.
Common verb, easy to incorporate into basic speech.
Frequently heard, but distinguishing from homophones/similar verbs requires practice.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
پیشرفته
Grammar to Know
Intransitive vs. Transitive Verbs
Tomaru (intransitive) vs. Tomeru (transitive)
Te-form Conjugation
Tomaru -> Tomatte
Potential Form
Tomaru -> Tomareru (can stop)
Using Particles に (ni) and は (wa)
電車が駅に止まる vs. 電車は止まる
Examples by Level
バスがとまる。
bus / stops.
Subject + が + Verb.
くるまをとめてください。
car / please stop.
Object + を + Verb (imperative).
あるくのをとまる。
walking / stop.
Verb (dictionary form) + の + を + Verb.
ここでとまります。
here / will stop.
Location + で + Verb (polite form).
ていがとまった。
rain / stopped.
Subject + が + Verb (past tense).
しごとをとめて。
work / stop.
Object + を + Verb (imperative, casual).
とまってください。
stop / please.
Verb (te-form) + ください (polite request).
電車がとまる。
train / stops.
Subject + が + Verb.
バスがバス停にとまる。
bus / bus stop / stops.
Subject + が + Location + に + Verb.
信号で車はとまる。
traffic light / car / stops.
Topic + は + Verb.
歩くのをやめて、とまった。
walking / quit, and / stopped.
Verb (dictionary form) + の + を + やめる (to quit) + て-form, Verb (past tense).
雨がとまったので、外に出た。
rain / stopped, so / went out.
Subject + が + Verb (past tense) + ので (because).
彼は急にとまった。
he / suddenly / stopped.
Adverb + Verb (past tense).
この電車は各駅にとまりますか？
this train / each station / stops / ?.
Question using polite verb form.
私の心臓がとまったかと思った。
my heart / stopped / thought.
Subject + が + Verb (past tense) + かと思った (thought that).
自転車をここに停めてください。
bicycle / here / park/stop + please.
Object + を + Location + に + Verb (te-form) + ください. Note: 停める (tomeru) is often used for parking.
電車は次の駅でとまります。
train / next station / stops.
Subject + は + Location + で + Verb (polite form).
突然の物音に、彼は立ちとまった。
sudden / noise / because of, he / stopped standing.
Noun + に + Subject + Verb (past tense).
火がとまったので、部屋が暗くなった。
fire / stopped, so / room / became dark.
Subject + が + Verb (past tense) + ので (because).
彼の成長は止まったかのようだ。
his / growth / stopped / seems like.
Subject + は + Verb (past tense) + かのようだ (seems like).
このバスは終点まで止まりません。
this bus / final stop / until / does not stop.
Subject + は + Noun + まで + Verb (negative polite form).
心配で、息が止まるかと思った。
worried / breath / stops / thought.
Adjective + で + Subject + が + Verb (dictionary form) + かと思った.
彼女は足を止めて、その絵をじっと見た。
she / feet / stopped, that painting / stared.
Verb (te-form) + Object + を + Verb (past tense).
会議は午後3時に止まる予定です。
meeting / afternoon 3 o'clock / stops / is scheduled.
Subject + は + Time + に + Verb (dictionary form) + 予定です (is scheduled).
そのバスは主要な観光地には止まらない。
that bus / main tourist spots / does not stop.
Subject + は + Location + には + Verb (negative polite form).
突然のサイレンに、彼の動きはぴたりと止まった。
sudden / siren / his movement / completely / stopped.
Noun + に + Subject + Adverb + Verb (past tense).
長引く不況で、多くの企業の成長が止まっている。
prolonged recession / many companies' growth / has stopped.
Noun + で + Subject + が + Verb (te-form) + いる (present continuous).
彼は驚きのあまり、言葉も出ずに立ち止まった。
he / extreme surprise / words / even without coming out / stopped standing.
Noun + の + あまり (due to excess), Subject + も + Verb (negative) + Verb (past tense).
この地域では、水道の供給が一時的に止まることがあります。
this area / water supply / temporarily / stops / sometimes happens.
Subject + が + Adverb + Verb (dictionary form) + ことがあります (sometimes happens).
彼女は過去の出来事に囚われ、前に進むことを止めてしまった。
she / past events / trapped by, forward / moving / stopped.
Object + に + Verb (te-form) + こと + を + Verb (past tense, emphatic).
そのニュースを聞いて、私の時間は止まったように感じた。
that news / heard, my time / stopped / like / felt.
Subject + は + Verb (past tense) + ように感じた (felt like).
計画は予算不足のため、途中で止まることになった。
plan / budget shortage / because of, halfway / stopped / became.
Subject + は + Reason + のため, Noun + で + Verb (dictionary form) + ことになった (it was decided/ended up).
彼の才能は若くして開花したが、その後、成長が止まった。
his talent / young age / bloomed, but / after that, growth / stopped.
Subject + は + Time + に + Verb (past tense), Noun + が + Verb (past tense).
歴史の流れは、しばしば予期せぬ出来事によって止まることがある。
history's flow / often / unexpected events / by / stops / sometimes happens.
Subject + は + Noun + によって + Verb (dictionary form) + ことがある.
その芸術家の創造性は、晩年になっても止まることを知らなかった。
that artist's creativity / later years / even in / stopping / knows not.
Subject + は + Noun + に + なって + も + Verb (dictionary form) + ことを知らなかった.
経済指標の悪化を受け、市場の取引は一時的に止まった。
economic indicators / worsening / received, market's trading / temporarily / stopped.
Noun + の + Noun + を + 受け, Subject + は + Adverb + Verb (past tense).
彼は過去の栄光に囚われ、新たな挑戦をすることを止めてしまった。
he / past glory / trapped by, new challenges / doing / stopped.
Object + に + Verb (te-form) + こと + を + Verb (past tense, emphatic).
その問題提起は、議論を一時停止させただけで、根本的な解決には至らなかった。
that issue proposal / discussion / temporary halt / caused, fundamental solution / did not lead to.
Subject + は + Object + を + Verb (past tense) + させた + だけ (only), Noun + には + Verb (negative past tense).
感情の奔流は、彼の理性を完全に止めてしまったかのようだった。
emotions' torrent / his reason / completely / stopped / seemed.
Subject + は + Object + を + Verb (past tense) + かのようだった.
技術革新のスピードは、もはや止まることを許さないだろう。
technological innovation's speed / is no longer / stopping / does not permit.
Subject + は + Adverb + Verb (dictionary form) + ことを + Verb (negative potential form) + だろう (probably).
彼のキャリアは、そのスキャンダルによって決定的に止まった。
his career / that scandal / by / decisively / stopped.
Subject + は + Noun + によって + Adverb + Verb (past tense).
自然界の摂理は、人間の介入によって容易に止まるものではない。
nature's laws / human intervention / by / easily / stops / is not something that.
Subject + は + Noun + によって + Adverb + Verb (dictionary form) + ものではない.
その芸術家の芸術性は、時代の変遷とともに止まることなく進化し続けた。
that artist's artistry / era's changes / along with / without stopping / evolved continuously.
Subject + は + Noun + とともに + Adverb + Verb (dictionary form) + Verb (past tense).
経済の停滞は、単なる一時的な現象ではなく、構造的な問題によって止まっているかのようだ。
economy's stagnation / mere temporary phenomenon / not, structural problems / by / stopped / seems like.
Subject + は + Noun + ではなく, Noun + によって + Verb (past tense) + かのようだ.
彼は過去の亡霊に苛まれ、現在の生を享受することを止めてしまった。
he / past's ghosts / tormented by, present life / enjoying / stopped.
Object + に + Verb (te-form) + こと + を + Verb (past tense, emphatic).
その哲学者の思索は、既成概念の壁に突き当たって止まったかのようであった。
that philosopher's thought / established concepts' wall / hit, stopped / seemed.
Subject + は + Noun + の + Noun + に + Verb (past tense) + Verb (past tense) + かのようであった.
時の流れさえも、その壮大な光景の前では止まったかのように感じられた。
time's flow / even / that grand spectacle / before / stopped / as if / felt.
Subject + さえも + Noun + の + 前では + Verb (past tense) + かのように感じられた.
文明の進歩は、しばしば予期せぬ危機によってその歩みを止められることがある。
civilization's progress / often / unexpected crisis / by / its steps / are stopped.
Subject + は + Adverb + Noun + によって + Object + を + Verb (passive past tense) + ことがある.
ترکیبهای رایج
Idioms & Expressions
"足をとめる (ashi o tomeru)"
To stop one's feet; to pause to look at something interesting or captivating.
美しいショーウィンドウに思わず足をとめた。(Utsukushii shō-uindō ni omowazu ashi o tometa.) - I couldn't help but stop my feet at the beautiful shop window.
neutral"息をのむ (iki o nomu)"
To gasp; to be astonished. Literally 'to swallow one's breath', implying a momentary stop.
その絶景に息をのんだ。(Sono zekkei ni iki o nonda.) - I gasped at the magnificent view.
neutral"手がとまる (te ga tomaru)"
One's hands stop; to pause in the middle of an action, often due to surprise, concern, or a sudden realization.
突然の悲報に、彼の作業の手が止まった。(Totsuzen no hihō ni, kare no sagyō no te ga tomatta.) - Upon hearing the sudden sad news, his hands stopped working.
neutral"血がとまる (chi ga tomaru)"
Blood stops. Can refer to a wound stopping bleeding, or figuratively, to be frozen with fear.
恐怖で血が止まったかのようだった。(Kyōfu de chi ga tomatta ka no yō datta.) - It felt as if my blood had stopped from fear.
neutral"止まることを知らない (tomaru koto o shiranai)"
To know no stopping; unstoppable; relentless.
彼女のエネルギーは止まることを知らない。(Kanojo no enerugī wa tomaru koto o shiranai.) - Her energy is unstoppable.
neutral"立ち止まる (tachidomaru)"
To stop standing; to halt one's movement while standing.
突然、彼は立ち止まって空を見上げた。(Totsuzen, kare wa tachidomattte sora o miageta.) - Suddenly, he stopped standing and looked up at the sky.
neutralEasily Confused
Same pronunciation (homophone) as 止まる.
泊まる means 'to stay overnight' (like in a hotel). It uses a different kanji (泊). 止まる means 'to stop'.
ホテルに<strong>泊まる</strong>。(Hoteru ni <strong>tomaru</strong>.) - To stay at a hotel. / バスが駅に<strong>止まる</strong>。(Basu ga eki ni <strong>tomaru</strong>.) - The bus stops at the station.
Related meaning and similar sound.
止める is transitive ('to stop something'), while 止まる is intransitive ('to stop').
車を<strong>止める</strong>。(Kuruma o <strong>tomeru</strong>.) - To stop the car. / 車が<strong>止まる</strong>。(Kuruma ga <strong>tomaru</strong>.) - The car stops.
Both indicate an end.
終わる means 'to finish' or 'to end' (like a task or event). 止まる means 'to stop moving'.
仕事が<strong>終わる</strong>。(Shigoto ga <strong>owaru</strong>.) - Work finishes. / 雨が<strong>止まる</strong>。(Ame ga <strong>tomaru</strong>.) - The rain stops (falling).
Both involve ceasing activity.
休む means 'to rest' or 'take a break'. 止まる is a more general stop, not necessarily implying rest.
休憩で<strong>休む</strong>。(Kyūkei de <strong>yasumu</strong>.) - To rest during a break. / バスが<strong>止まる</strong>。(Basu ga <strong>tomaru</strong>.) - The bus stops.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + が + Location + に + とまる
電車が<strong>駅に止まる</strong>。(Densha ga <strong>eki ni tomaru</strong>.) - The train stops at the station.
Subject + は + Verb (te-form) + ください
ちょっと<strong>止まってください</strong>。(Chotto <strong>tomatte kudasai</strong>.) - Please wait a moment.
Subject + が + Verb (past tense) + [consequence]
雨が<strong>止んだ</strong>ので、散歩に出かけた。(Ame ga <strong>yanda</strong> node, sanpo ni dekaketa.) - Because the rain stopped, I went for a walk.
Noun + の + 勢い + は + とまる + ことを知らない
彼の<strong>勢いは止まることを知らない</strong>。(Kare no <strong>ikioi wa tomaru koto o shiranai</strong>.) - His momentum is unstoppable.
Subject + は + Noun + に + Verb (te-form) + [manner]
彼は驚きのあまり、<strong>立ち止まった</strong>。(Kare wa odoroki no amari, <strong>tachidomatta</strong>.) - He stopped in surprise.
خانواده کلمه
Nouns
Verbs
مرتبط
How to Use It
Formality Scale
اشتباهات رایج
<strong>Tomaru</strong> is intransitive (the subject stops itself). <strong>Tomeru</strong> is transitive (you stop something else). You stop the car, so you need <strong>tomeru</strong>.
<strong>Tomaru</strong> means to stop moving. <strong>Owaru</strong> means to end or finish. Rain stops falling, but a class ends.
When indicating the location where something stops, the particle <strong>に (ni)</strong> is typically used.
<strong>Tomaru</strong> can be used metaphorically for processes, growth, or activities stopping.
While <strong>とまります (tomarimasu)</strong> is polite, the te-form <strong>とまって (tomatte)</strong> is often used casually for requests like 'Wait!' or 'Stop!'.
Tips
The 'TO-MA-ROO' Trick
Visualize a kangaroo ('ROO') wearing a 'TO' hat, stopping abruptly mid-jump. Say 'TO-MA-ROO!' when you see a stop sign.
Intransitive vs. Transitive
Always remember: <strong>Tomaru</strong> = the subject stops itself. <strong>Tomeru</strong> = you stop something else. This is the most common point of confusion!
The Importance of Pauses
In Japanese culture, pauses (止まる moments) can be significant in conversation, indicating thought or emphasis. Notice these pauses when listening.
Te-Form for Requests
For a casual 'Stop!' or 'Wait!', use the te-form: <strong>とまって (tomatte)</strong>. Add ください (kudasai) for politeness.
Soft 'RU'
Practice the 'ru' sound. It's not a hard 'rue', but a softer sound made with the tongue near the roof of your mouth, almost like a quick 'oo'.
Don't Confuse with 'End'
Remember <strong>tomaru</strong> is about stopping movement, while 終わる (owaru) is about finishing or ending something entirely.
Kanji Clues
The kanji 止 itself looks like a foot stopping. Use this visual to remember the meaning!
Observe & Imitate
Watch Japanese dramas or listen to podcasts. Actively look for how and when <strong>tomaru</strong> is used. Pause and repeat the sentences.
Beyond Vehicles
Don't limit <strong>tomaru</strong> to just cars and trains! Think about stopping rain, stopping a process, or even stopping time metaphorically.
Particle Power
Pay attention to the particle used with <strong>tomaru</strong>. Usually it's <strong>が (ga)</strong> for the subject, and <strong>に (ni)</strong> for the location where the stop occurs.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'TO'll booth where cars must 'MA'ke a stop before proceeding.
Visual Association
Picture a STOP sign with the Japanese character 止 prominently displayed.
Word Web
چالش
Try to describe 5 things you saw stopping today using <strong>とまる</strong>.
ریشه کلمه
Japanese
Original meaning: The character 止 originally depicted a foot halting its movement. The verb evolved from this concept of stopping or preventing motion.
بافت فرهنگی
Generally no specific cultural sensitivities, but context is key. Stopping a vehicle abruptly can be dangerous, and stopping someone's progress can be seen negatively depending on the situation.
In English-speaking cultures, the concept of 'stopping' is fundamental, seen in traffic laws, social etiquette (stopping conversations), and personal goals (stopping bad habits). The Japanese verb <strong>tomaru</strong> reflects these universal ideas.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Transportation
- バスがバス停にとまる。(Basu ga basutei ni tomaru.) - The bus stops at the bus stop.
- 電車は各駅にとまりますか？(Densha wa kaku eki ni tomarimasu ka?) - Does the train stop at every station?
- タクシーを止めたいです。(Takushī o tometai desu.) - I want to stop a taxi.
Daily Activities
- 歩くのを止めて、休憩しよう。(Aruku no o yamete, kyūkei shiyou.) - Let's stop walking and take a break.
- 突然、手が止まった。(Totsuzen, te ga tomatta.) - Suddenly, my hands stopped.
- 話が止まった。(Hanashi ga tomatta.) - The conversation stopped.
Describing Phenomena
- 雨が止んだ。(Ame ga yanda.) - The rain stopped.
- 火が止まった。(Hi ga tomatta.) - The fire went out.
- 時間が止まったようだ。(Jikan ga tomatta yō da.) - It feels like time has stopped.
Figurative/Metaphorical
- 成長が止まる。(Seichō ga tomaru.) - Growth stops.
- 止まることを知らない。(Tomaru koto o shiranai.) - Unstoppable.
- 彼のキャリアはそこで止まった。(Kare no kyaria wa soko de tomatta.) - His career stopped there.
Conversation Starters
"Where do buses usually stop in your city?"
"Have you ever had to stop suddenly while walking? What happened?"
"What's something that seems unstoppable to you?"
"If time stopped for a minute, what would you do?"
"What's the most interesting thing you've ever stopped to look at?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you had to stop what you were doing unexpectedly. Why did you stop?
Write about a goal you have. What steps are you taking, and what might cause you to stop?
Think about a natural phenomenon (like rain, wind, or a river). How does it stop?
Describe a moment when you felt like time stopped. What were you experiencing?
سوالات متداول
8 سوال<strong>Tomaru</strong> is intransitive (e.g., 'The car stops'). <strong>Tomeru</strong> is transitive (e.g., 'I stop the car'). Think of it like 'to stop' vs. 'to make stop'.
Yes! It can describe things like time stopping (時間が止まる - jikan ga tomaru), or growth stopping (成長が止まる - seichō ga tomaru).
You can use the te-form: ちょっと<strong>とまって</strong>！ (Chotto <strong>tomatte</strong>!) - Wait a moment! This is a common casual expression.
Yes, <strong>tomaru</strong> is a very common and fundamental verb in Japanese, used frequently in everyday conversation.
The kanji 止 means 'stop', 'halt', or 'prevent'. It visually represents a foot stopping.
Not directly. While it implies stopping in a location, for 'staying' overnight or for a period, verbs like 泊まる (tomaru - different kanji, same pronunciation) or 滞在する (taizai suru) are used.
The past tense is <strong>とまった (tomatta)</strong>.
The main thing is to keep the 'ru' sound soft and not over-stress the first syllable. Aim for 'toh-MAH-roo'.
خودت رو بسنج
バスが ____。
The sentence is about a bus stopping, so the verb 'tomaru' is needed.
Which sentence correctly uses とまる?
This sentence correctly states that the train stops at the station.
The verb とまる means 'to start'.
Tomaru means 'to stop', which is the opposite of starting.
Word
معنی
These pairs show common uses of the verb 'tomaru'.
The correct order is 'The car stopped at the traffic light.'
彼の勢いは____ことを知らない。
The idiom 'tomaru koto o shiranai' means 'unstoppable'.
Which is the correct transitive counterpart of とまる?
Tomeru is the transitive verb meaning 'to stop something'.
The phrase '足をとめる' means to run faster.
'Ashi o tomeru' means to stop one's feet, usually to look at something.
その芸術家の創造性は、晩年になっても____ことを知らなかった。
The phrase 'tomaru koto o shiranai' means 'knew no stopping', indicating continuous creativity.
The sentence means 'The flow of history can often be stopped by unexpected events.'
امتیاز: /10
Summary
Mastering <strong>tomaru</strong> unlocks the ability to describe moments of stillness and cessation in countless everyday situations.
- <strong>Tomaru</strong> (止まる) means 'to stop' (intransitive).
- Used for vehicles, people, and abstract concepts.
- Distinguish from <strong>tomeru</strong> (to stop something).
- Common in daily life, transportation, and figurative language.
The 'TO-MA-ROO' Trick
Visualize a kangaroo ('ROO') wearing a 'TO' hat, stopping abruptly mid-jump. Say 'TO-MA-ROO!' when you see a stop sign.
Intransitive vs. Transitive
Always remember: <strong>Tomaru</strong> = the subject stops itself. <strong>Tomeru</strong> = you stop something else. This is the most common point of confusion!
The Importance of Pauses
In Japanese culture, pauses (止まる moments) can be significant in conversation, indicating thought or emphasis. Notice these pauses when listening.
Te-Form for Requests
For a casual 'Stop!' or 'Wait!', use the te-form: <strong>とまって (tomatte)</strong>. Add ください (kudasai) for politeness.
مثال
バスが駅前で止まった。
Related Content
عبارات مرتبط
واژههای بیشتر travel
くらい/ぐらい
B1Particle indicating extent, degree, or 'about/approximately'.
宿泊
B1The act of staying overnight in a place, such as a hotel or guest house. Essential for IELTS General Task 1 letters regarding travel complaints or bookings.
入場料
B1The fee paid to enter a place.
入場券
B1A ticket allowing entry to an event or place.
冒険
B1Adventure; an exciting or unusual experience.
手頃
B1Reasonable in price or size; affordable, suitable.
〜の後に
B1After (a noun or event).
〜の後で
B1After (time or place), behind.
飛行場
A2Airport.
航空会社
B1Airline company.
