At the A1 level, you can think of '阻止する' (soshisuru) as a more 'serious' way to say 'stop.' While you might usually use '止める' (tomeru) for everyday things like stopping a ball or stopping a bicycle, '阻止する' is used when you want to stop something important or bad from happening. For example, if a superhero stops a bad guy, we use this word. It's a bit like putting a big wall in front of someone so they can't go forward. Even if you don't use it yourself yet, you might hear it in cartoons or simple news stories. Just remember: it's 'to stop' with a lot of effort.
At the A2 level, you should start recognizing '阻止する' in contexts like sports or news. It is a 'suru' verb, so it conjugates just like 'benkyō suru' (study). You use the particle 'wo' with it. For example, 'shiai wo soshisuru' (to stop/prevent the match). It's different from 'yameru' (to quit) or 'owaru' (to end). Use '阻止する' when someone is trying to do something and you act to stop them. If a goalkeeper blocks a shot, that is 'soshisuru.' It is a very useful word for describing actions where someone is being blocked or prevented from reaching a goal.
At the B1 level, you can appreciate the nuance of '阻止する' compared to '防ぐ' (fusegu). While '防ぐ' is often about preventing something naturally bad (like an illness or a flood), '阻止する' often involves a human element or a specific plan. It is frequently used in business and social issues. For instance, 'keikaku wo soshisuru' (to thwart a plan). You will see this word in newspaper headlines regarding government actions or corporate competition. It implies that without the 'soshi' action, the event would have definitely proceeded. It's a proactive, forceful kind of prevention.
At the B2 level, '阻止する' becomes a key vocabulary item for discussing politics, law, and social movements. You'll encounter it in phrases like 'saiban de soshisuru' (to block in court) or 'kōshō wo soshisuru' (to block negotiations). It carries a formal tone and is often found in the passive voice ('soshi sareru') when a project or motion is voted down or stopped by an authority. Understanding this word allows you to describe complex social dynamics where different groups are trying to halt each other's progress. It also appears in scientific contexts, such as 'saibō no zōshoku wo soshisuru' (to inhibit/block cell multiplication).
At the C1 level, you should be able to use '阻止する' with precision in academic and professional writing. It is used to describe the deterrence of abstract phenomena, such as 'infure no shinkō wo soshisuru' (halting the progression of inflation) or 'bunka no suitai wo soshisuru' (preventing the decline of a culture). You should also be aware of its collocations with words like 'kizashi' (signs/indications), as in 'aku-eikyō no kizashi wo soshisuru' (nipping the signs of negative influence in the bud). The noun form '阻止' is often part of more complex legal or technical terms, requiring a deep understanding of the systemic barriers being described.
At the C2 level, '阻止する' is part of a sophisticated lexicon used to navigate high-level discourse on international relations, ethics, and philosophy. You might use it to discuss 'jindō-teki na sangeki wo soshisuru' (preventing a humanitarian tragedy) or the 'kenryoku no bōsō wo soshisuru' (preventing the runaway of power/authoritarianism). At this level, the distinction between '阻止する' and more esoteric synonyms like '扼殺する' (yakusatsu suru - to strangle/stifle) or '遏止する' (asshi suru - to check/stop) becomes relevant. You understand not just the action of blocking, but the strategic and moral implications of intervention versus non-intervention in global affairs.

阻止する 30초 만에

  • 阻止する (soshisuru) means to actively block, thwart, or prevent an action or plan from moving forward through deliberate effort or strategic intervention.
  • It is a formal 'suru' verb commonly used in news, sports, and professional settings to describe stopping something significant or potentially harmful.
  • Unlike the simple 'tomeru' (stop), it carries a nuance of resistance and is often used for stopping criminals, goals, or political bills.
  • Grammatically, it uses the particle 'wo' for the object being blocked and is frequently found in passive and volitional forms in serious contexts.

The Japanese verb 阻止する (そしする - soshisuru) is a powerful and decisive term used when someone or something actively intervenes to prevent an action, event, or movement from occurring. At its core, it combines the kanji (meaning 'obstruct' or 'thwart') with (meaning 'stop'). Unlike the simpler word 止める (yameru/tomeru), which can mean to just stop doing something, 阻止する carries a nuance of physical or strategic resistance against a force that is already in motion or about to happen.

Active Resistance
This word implies that there is a specific target or plan that needs to be halted. It is not an accidental stop; it is a calculated effort to block progress.
Formal Nuance
You will frequently encounter this word in news reports, police procedurals, and sports commentary. It sounds more professional and serious than everyday verbs for 'stopping.'
Conflict and Competition
It is often used in contexts of conflict, such as stopping a criminal from escaping, preventing a goal in soccer, or blocking a controversial bill in parliament.

警官は犯人の逃走を阻止するために道に立ちふさがった。
(The police officer stood in the way to block the criminal's escape.)

In social contexts, this word can describe stopping someone from making a mistake or preventing a social disaster. For example, friends might work together to 阻止する a peer from making a bad financial decision. It implies a protective or defensive stance. The word is versatile enough to cover physical barriers (like a dam blocking water) and abstract barriers (like a law blocking a merger).

ダムは洪水を阻止する役割を果たしている。
(The dam plays the role of preventing floods.)

Grammatically, 阻止する is a 'suru' verb, meaning it follows the standard conjugation patterns for irregular Japanese verbs. It typically takes the direct object particle を (wo) to indicate what is being blocked. The structure is usually: [Noun] を 阻止する.

Objective Usage
When blocking an action: 計画を阻止する (Thwart a plan).
When blocking a person: 彼の侵入を阻止する (Block his entry).
Causative and Passive
Passive: 計画は反対派によって阻止された (The plan was blocked by the opposition).
Causative: 彼に阻止させた (Made him block it).

ライバル会社の買収を阻止するために、新しい戦略を立てた。
(We developed a new strategy to block the acquisition by the rival company.)

One interesting aspect of 阻止する is its application in sports. If a goalkeeper prevents a goal, or a defender stops an opponent's advance, 阻止する is the perfect technical term. It highlights the skill and intent behind the action.

ゴールキーパーが相手のシュートを見事に阻止した
(The goalkeeper brilliantly blocked the opponent's shot.)

If you watch NHK News or read the Asahi Shimbun, you will see 阻止する almost daily. It is a staple of political and economic reporting. Politicians use it to describe their efforts to stop unfavorable policies, and economic analysts use it to discuss market trends and interventions.

In the Media
Headlines like '円安を阻止するために介入' (Intervention to stop the weakening yen) are common in financial news.
In Crime Dramas
Detectives will shout 'テロを阻止しろ!' (Stop the terrorism!) during high-stakes scenes.

政府はインフレの進行を阻止するための追加対策を発表した。
(The government announced additional measures to prevent further inflation.)

In anime and manga, particularly in the shonen genre, characters often talk about 阻止する when they are trying to stop a villain's world-ending plan. It adds a layer of weight and gravity to the situation that the word '止める' simply doesn't convey. It suggests that if they don't act, something catastrophic will happen.

敵の進撃をここで阻止するぞ!
(We will block the enemy's advance right here!)

One of the most common mistakes for English speakers is overusing 阻止する in casual situations. Because English uses 'stop' for almost everything, learners might be tempted to use 阻止する when they should use simpler verbs. For example, you wouldn't use 阻止する to ask someone to stop talking or to stop a car at a red light.

Mistaking it for 'Cancel' (中止)
'阻止' is blocking an ongoing or imminent action. '中止' (chūshi) is canceling a scheduled event. You block a crime (阻止), but you cancel a meeting (中止).
Misusing it for Personal Habit
If you want to stop smoking, use 'やめる' (yameru). Using '阻止する' would imply you are physically preventing yourself from reaching for a cigarette through an external barrier.

❌ タバコを吸うのを阻止する
✅ タバコをやめる
(Correct: I will quit smoking. Incorrect: I will obstruct the smoking.)

Another nuance to watch for is the difference between 阻止する and 妨げる (samatageru). While both involve making things difficult, 阻止する aims for a complete halt, whereas 妨げる often means to hinder or slow down without necessarily stopping the action entirely.

Japanese has several verbs that overlap with 阻止する. Choosing the right one depends on the intensity and the nature of the 'stopping' action. Here is a comparison to help you navigate these synonyms.

防ぐ (Fusegu)
Meaning 'to prevent' or 'to defend against.' This is much more common for preventing accidents, illnesses, or cold weather. It is less about 'thwarting' and more about 'protection.'
妨げる (Samatageru)
Meaning 'to hinder' or 'to disturb.' Use this when someone's progress is being slowed down, like noise hindering sleep or a crowd hindering movement.
阻む (Habamu)
Very similar to 阻止する, but often more literary or poetic. It describes standing in the way of someone's path or dreams.

厚い壁が私たちの行く手を阻んでいる
(A thick wall is blocking our way.)

When in doubt, use 防ぐ for safety and general prevention, and 阻止する when there is a specific action or person you are trying to stop with some level of effort or authority.

How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

The kanji 阻 contains the 'left village' radical (阝), which often relates to land or terrain, reinforcing the idea of a physical barrier like a cliff or a slope.

발음 가이드

UK so.ɕi.sɯ.ɾɯ
US so.ʃi.su.ru
The pitch accent is 'Heiban' (Flat). All morae are pronounced with a relatively even, high pitch after the first syllable.
라임이 맞는 단어
Koshi suru (to exercise) Hoshi suru (to dry) Moshi suru (to imitate) Yoshi suru (to approve) Toshi (city) Hoshi (star) Moshi (if) Koshi (waist)
자주 하는 실수
  • Pronouncing 'shi' as 'si' (like 'see' with a hard S).
  • Over-emphasizing the final 'u' in 'suru' (it should be nearly silent).
  • Confusing the pitch accent with 'Soshi' (composition), which has a different accent.
  • Making the 'r' in 'ru' sound like an English 'r' instead of a flap.
  • Misreading the kanji 阻 as 助 (jo).

난이도

독해 3/5

The kanji '阻' is N1 level, but the word is common in media.

쓰기 4/5

Writing '阻' correctly requires practice with the radical.

말하기 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward 'suru' verb pattern.

듣기 2/5

Distinct sound, easy to pick out in news broadcasts.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

止める 防ぐ 計画 警察 行動

다음에 배울 것

妨害する 抑止する 遮断する 抵抗する 打破する

고급

遏止 (asshi) 扼殺 (yakusatsu) 阻却 (sokyaku)

수준별 예문

1

彼はボールを阻止しました。

He blocked the ball.

Simple past tense of a suru-verb.

2

悪い計画を阻止する。

To stop a bad plan.

Direct object with 'wo'.

3

走るのを阻止する。

To stop (someone) from running.

Using 'no' to nominalize the verb 'hashiru'.

4

ドアで阻止する。

To block with a door.

Instrumental particle 'de'.

5

警察が阻止した。

The police stopped (it).

Subject marker 'ga'.

6

侵入を阻止する。

To block an entry.

Common noun-verb combination.

7

彼は私を阻止した。

He blocked me.

Person as a direct object.

8

それを阻止しましょう。

Let's block that.

Volitional form 'mashō'.

1

ゴールキーパーがシュートを阻止した。

The goalkeeper blocked the shot.

Specific sports context.

2

雨がイベントを阻止した。

The rain prevented the event.

Non-human subject.

3

彼は逃走を阻止された。

His escape was blocked.

Passive voice 'sareta'.

4

ダムが洪水を阻止する。

The dam prevents the flood.

Describing a function.

5

彼らはデモを阻止しようとした。

They tried to block the protest.

Try to do form 'shiyō to suru'.

6

ウイルスの感染を阻止する。

To block the virus infection.

Medical context.

7

開発を阻止するための会議。

A meeting to block the development.

Using 'tame no' to modify a noun.

8

誰も彼の成功を阻止できない。

No one can block his success.

Potential form 'dekinai'.

1

政府は円安の進行を阻止しようとしている。

The government is trying to stop the weakening of the yen.

Continuous attempt form 'shiyō to shite iru'.

2

ライバル企業の合併を阻止する。

To block the merger of rival companies.

Business context.

3

反対派が新しい法律を阻止した。

The opposition blocked the new law.

Political context.

4

火災の拡大を阻止するために消火活動を行う。

Carry out firefighting activities to block the spread of the fire.

Purpose clause with 'tame ni'.

5

ハッカーの攻撃を阻止するシステムを導入した。

Introduced a system to block hacker attacks.

Relative clause modifying 'shisutemu'.

6

彼は自暴自棄な行動を友人に阻止された。

He was stopped by his friend from acting out of desperation.

Passive voice with agent marked by 'ni'.

7

情報の流出を阻止することは非常に重要だ。

It is very important to block the leakage of information.

Gerund phrase as a subject.

8

その計画は土壇場で阻止された。

The plan was blocked at the last minute.

Temporal expression 'dotanba' (last minute).

1

森林破壊を阻止するための国際的な協力が必要だ。

International cooperation is necessary to stop deforestation.

Abstract social issue.

2

彼の独断専行を阻止する者は誰もいなかった。

There was no one to stop his arbitrary actions.

Noun modification with 'mono'.

3

裁判所がその建設工事を一時的に阻止した。

The court temporarily blocked the construction work.

Legal context.

4

薬が病気の悪化を阻止する効果がある。

The medicine has the effect of preventing the worsening of the disease.

Scientific/Medical context.

5

経済制裁によって核開発を阻止する。

To block nuclear development through economic sanctions.

Causal particle 'ni yotte'.

6

彼は必死に涙がこぼれるのを阻止した。

He desperately stopped his tears from falling.

Emotional/Physical context.

7

不当な解雇を阻止するために労働組合が動いた。

The labor union moved to block the unfair dismissal.

Labor rights context.

8

敵の増援を阻止する作戦が成功した。

The operation to block enemy reinforcements succeeded.

Military context.

1

言論の自由を阻止する動きには強く反対すべきだ。

We must strongly oppose movements that block freedom of speech.

Complex social commentary.

2

インフレの加速を阻止すべく、中央銀行は利上げを断行した。

In order to block the acceleration of inflation, the central bank resolutely raised interest rates.

Formal auxiliary 'subeku' (in order to).

3

既得権益が改革を阻止している現状を打破しなければならない。

We must break through the current situation where vested interests are blocking reform.

Sophisticated political terminology.

4

その法案は野党の激しい抵抗により阻止された。

The bill was blocked due to fierce resistance from the opposition parties.

Causal 'ni yori' (due to).

5

種の絶滅を阻止することは我々の世代の義務である。

Preventing the extinction of species is the duty of our generation.

Philosophical/Ethical tone.

6

独占禁止法は市場の健全な競争を阻止する行為を禁じている。

The Anti-Monopoly Act prohibits acts that block healthy market competition.

Legal/Regulatory language.

7

情報の非対称性が円滑な取引を阻止している。

Information asymmetry is blocking smooth transactions.

Economic theory context.

8

彼は自らの野望を阻止されたことに激怒した。

He was enraged that his ambitions were thwarted.

Passive nominalization with 'koto'.

1

歴史の必然とも言える変化を、小手先の策で阻止することは不可能だ。

It is impossible to block changes that can be called historical necessities with superficial measures.

Advanced philosophical rhetoric.

2

人道的な惨劇を阻止するためには、国際社会の迅速な介入が不可欠である。

To prevent a humanitarian tragedy, rapid intervention by the international community is essential.

Diplomatic/High-level formal speech.

3

権力の暴走を阻止する仕組みとして、三権分立が機能している。

The separation of powers functions as a mechanism to block the runaway of power.

Political science terminology.

4

パンデミックの再来を阻止すべく、世界規模の監視網が構築された。

To prevent the recurrence of a pandemic, a global surveillance network was constructed.

Technical/Global governance context.

5

彼は、自らの信念が組織の論理によって阻止されるのを黙って見てはいられなかった。

He could not stand by and watch his beliefs being blocked by the logic of the organization.

Complex emotional/professional conflict.

6

文化の画一化を阻止し、多様性を維持するための施策が求められている。

Measures are needed to block the homogenization of culture and maintain diversity.

Cultural studies terminology.

7

核兵器の拡散を阻止する条約の有効性が問われている。

The effectiveness of the treaty to block the proliferation of nuclear weapons is being questioned.

International law context.

8

技術革新が既存の産業構造を破壊するのを阻止しようとする試みは、しばしば徒労に終わる。

Attempts to block technological innovation from destroying existing industrial structures often end in futility.

Economic/Technological discourse.

자주 쓰는 조합

計画を阻止する
逃走を阻止する
シュートを阻止する
感染を阻止する
買収を阻止する
法案を阻止する
インフレを阻止する
侵入を阻止する
拡大を阻止する
暴走を阻止する

자주 쓰는 구문

未然に阻止する

— To prevent something before it even happens. Often used in security contexts.

テロを未然に阻止した。

全力で阻止する

— To block something with all of one's might or resources.

改憲を全力で阻止する。

水際で阻止する

— To stop something at the border or the very first point of entry.

ウイルスを水際で阻止する。

断固として阻止する

— To resolutely and firmly block an action.

独裁を断固として阻止する。

必死に阻止する

— To desperately try to stop something from happening.

彼は失点を必死に阻止した。

合法的に阻止する

— To block something through legal means or procedures.

買収を合法的に阻止する。

一時的に阻止する

— To stop something temporarily, though it might continue later.

工事を一時的に阻止する。

物理的に阻止する

— To stop something using physical force or barriers.

侵入を物理的に阻止する。

組織的に阻止する

— For an organization to work together to stop an action.

不正を組織的に阻止する。

徹底的に阻止する

— To block something completely and thoroughly.

情報の漏洩を徹底的に阻止する。

관용어 및 표현

"行く手を阻止する"

— To stand in someone's way or block their path forward.

巨大な岩が行く手を阻止している。

Common
"一矢報いて阻止する"

— To block something by striking back even in a losing situation.

一矢報いて相手の全勝を阻止した。

Literary
"盾となって阻止する"

— To act as a shield to stop something from reaching a target.

彼は盾となって仲間の被害を阻止した。

Poetic
"息の根を止めて阻止する"

— To stop something completely by dealing a final blow (metaphorical).

悪政の息の根を止めて阻止する。

Strong/Metaphorical
"壁を築いて阻止する"

— To build a metaphorical or physical wall to stop progress.

法的な壁を築いて買収を阻止する。

Business
"先手を打って阻止する"

— To take the initiative and stop something before it starts.

先手を打ってライバルの進出を阻止する。

Strategic
"身を挺して阻止する"

— To put one's body/life on the line to stop something.

身を挺して子供の事故を阻止した。

Heroic
"包囲網を敷いて阻止する"

— To set up a dragnet or siege to stop someone from escaping.

警察は包囲網を敷いて逃走を阻止した。

Police
"釘を刺して阻止する"

— To give a warning to prevent someone from doing something later.

釘を刺して彼の勝手な行動を阻止する。

Idiomatic
"毒を以て毒を制して阻止する"

— To use one evil/force to stop another evil/force.

毒を以て毒を制し、ウイルスの増殖を阻止する。

Academic/Literary

어휘 가족

명사

阻止 (soshi - obstruction/prevention)
阻止能 (soshinō - stopping power)
阻止率 (soshiritsu - blocking rate)

동사

阻む (habamu - to obstruct/thwart)
止める (tomeru - to stop)

형용사

阻止的 (soshiteki - obstructive)

관련

妨害 (bōgai - interference)
予防 (yobō - prevention)
禁止 (kinshi - prohibition)
抑止 (yokushi - deterrence)
遮断 (shadan - cutoff/interruption)

암기하기

기억법

Think of a **So**ccer **Shi**eld. You use a shield to **阻止する** (soshisuru) the opponent from scoring.

시각적 연상

Imagine a giant red 'X' or a brick wall being built instantly in front of a moving car.

Word Web

Police Sports Goal Plan Thwart Barrier News Law

챌린지

Try to find one news headline today that uses '阻止' and identify what is being blocked.

어원

Composed of two Sino-Japanese characters (Kanji). '阻' (So) originally meant a rugged or steep mountain path that is difficult to cross. '止' (Shi) is a pictograph of a footprint, meaning to stop or stand still.

원래 의미: To stop someone by placing a rugged obstacle in their path.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

문화적 맥락

Generally a neutral term, but in political contexts, it can be polarizing depending on who is doing the 'blocking'.

In English, we might say 'thwart' or 'block.' 'Thwart' sounds a bit like a movie villain's plan being ruined, while 'block' is more physical. '阻止する' covers both.

NHK News headlines regarding 'Yenyasu Soshi' (Blocking the weak yen). Anime series like 'Code Geass' or 'Death Note' where characters thwart each other's complex plans. Sports commentary during the World Cup when a Japanese goalie makes a save.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

Sports

  • シュートを阻止する
  • 得点を阻止する
  • 進撃を阻止する
  • 逆転を阻止する

Crime/Security

  • 逃走を阻止する
  • 犯罪を阻止する
  • 侵入を阻止する
  • テロを阻止する

Business

  • 買収を阻止する
  • 計画を阻止する
  • 合併を阻止する
  • 流出を阻止する

Health/Science

  • 感染を阻止する
  • 増殖を阻止する
  • 悪化を阻止する
  • 反応を阻止する

Politics

  • 法案を阻止する
  • 改革を阻止する
  • 独裁を阻止する
  • 可決を阻止する

대화 시작하기

"どうすれば環境破壊を阻止できると思いますか? (How do you think we can stop environmental destruction?)"

"昨日の試合で、キーパーがゴールを阻止した瞬間を見ましたか? (Did you see the moment the goalie blocked the goal in yesterday's match?)"

"新しい法律の制定を阻止するために、人々は何ができますか? (What can people do to block the enactment of a new law?)"

"ハッカーの攻撃を阻止するための良いセキュリティソフトを知っていますか? (Do you know any good security software to block hacker attacks?)"

"友達が間違った道に進もうとしたら、どうやって阻止しますか? (If a friend was about to go down the wrong path, how would you stop them?)"

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