When you're first starting out with Japanese, understanding common verbs is super important. Today, we're looking at とまります (tomarimasu). This versatile verb generally means 'to stop.'
You'll use it for things like a car stopping, a train stopping at a station, or even a clock stopping. For example, if you say '電車がとまります' (Densha ga tomarimasu), it means 'The train stops.'
When you're learning Japanese, you'll often encounter verbs that have multiple meanings depending on the context. The verb 「とまります」 (tomarimasu) is a great example of this. It can mean "to stop" when referring to a moving object, like a car or a train. For instance, 「バスがとまります」 (basu ga tomarimasu) means "The bus stops."
However, 「とまります」 also commonly means "to stay overnight" or "to lodge." This meaning is frequently used when talking about staying at a hotel or someone's house. So, if you hear 「ホテルにとまります」 (hoteru ni tomarimasu), it means "I will stay at a hotel." It's important to pay attention to the particles and the surrounding words to understand which meaning is being used.
§ とまります in Real-Life Japanese
You've learned that とまります (tomarimasu) means 'to stop' or 'to stay overnight.' Now let's dive into how you'll actually encounter this versatile verb in everyday Japanese. This isn't academic theory; it's about practical usage in various situations.
§ At Work and in Business
In a work context, とまります often refers to things stopping, or in a more formal sense, staying at a location, especially for business trips.
- Meaning 1: To Stop (e.g., machinery, operations)
- This is common when discussing equipment, production lines, or even projects ceasing for a period.
機械が止まります。
Hint: The machine stops.
システムが止まりました。
Hint: The system stopped.
- Meaning 2: To Stay Overnight (for business trips)
- When your colleagues or clients are traveling for work, you'll hear this used to discuss their accommodation.
出張でホテルに止まります。
Hint: I will stay at a hotel for a business trip.
大阪で一泊止まります。
Hint: I will stay one night in Osaka.
§ In Daily Life and at School
In casual conversation, at school, or just out and about, とまります is frequently used for transportation, objects, and even people stopping.
- Meaning 1: To Stop (vehicles, rain, objects)
- This is perhaps the most common usage. Think about buses stopping, rain ceasing, or even a clock stopping.
バスが駅で止まります。
Hint: The bus stops at the station.
雨が止まりました。
Hint: The rain stopped.
時計が止まっている。
Hint: The clock has stopped (is stopped).
- Meaning 2: To Stay Overnight (general travel/personal)
- This is for when you, or someone you know, is staying somewhere for a night or more, for leisure or personal reasons.
友達の家に止まります。
Hint: I will stay at my friend's house.
温泉旅館に止まりたいです。
Hint: I want to stay at a hot spring inn.
§ In News and Public Announcements
You'll often hear とまります in news broadcasts, especially regarding public transportation, utilities, or emergencies.
Train/Bus Services: When there are delays or cancellations, the news will announce that trains or buses have stopped.
電車が緊急停止しました。
Hint: The train made an emergency stop. (Note: 停止 teishi is a noun form of stopping, often used in news.)
Utilities: If there's a power outage or water supply interruption, とまります (or its variations) will be used.
水道が止まりました。
Hint: The water supply stopped.
Weather: When a typhoon passes or heavy rain ceases, you'll hear phrases like 雨が止む (ame ga yamu) which means 'the rain stops.' While とまります can be used, 止む (yamu) is more common for natural phenomena like rain or wind ceasing.
風が止まりました。
Hint: The wind stopped.
As you can see, とまります is a fundamental verb with broad applications. Pay attention to the context, and you'll quickly grasp which meaning is being used.
Alright, let's talk about とまります (tomarimasu). This word means "to stop" or "to stay overnight." Sounds simple, right? Well, sometimes it trips people up. Here's how to avoid common mistakes.
§ Mistake 1: Confusing 自動詞 (Jidoushi) and 他動詞 (Tadoushi)
This is a big one for many Japanese verbs. とまります is an 自動詞 (jidoushi), which means it's an intransitive verb. It describes something stopping by itself, or someone stopping *at* a place. It doesn't take a direct object with を (o).
If you want to say *you* stopped something, like a car or a train, you need a different verb: とめます (tomemasu). とめます is a 他動詞 (tadoushi), a transitive verb.
電車が駅にとまります。
- Meaning
- The train stops at the station. (The train stops itself.)
私が車をとめます。
- Meaning
- I stop the car. (I stop something.)
Big difference, right? Always check if the verb is transitive or intransitive when you're dealing with pairs like this.
§ Mistake 2: Using the wrong particle for "stay overnight"
When とまります means "to stay overnight," you're usually talking about staying *at* a place. For the location, you should use the particle に (ni) or で (de).
に (ni): Use this when you're emphasizing the destination or the place where you will end up staying.
で (de): Use this when you're emphasizing the location where the action of staying takes place.
ホテルにとまります。
- Meaning
- I'm staying overnight at a hotel.
友達の家でとまります。
- Meaning
- I'm staying overnight at my friend's house.
§ Mistake 3: Overusing it for brief pauses
While とまります can mean "to stop," it often implies a more definitive stop, like a car stopping completely or a train halting at a station. For just a brief pause or a short break in an activity, other verbs might be more natural.
For a quick break: やすみます (yasumimasu - to rest/take a break)
For interrupting an action: やめます (yamemasu - to stop/quit an activity)
少し休みましょう。
- Meaning
- Let's take a short break.
You wouldn't typically say 「少しとまります」 (sukoshi tomarimasu) for taking a coffee break. It would sound like you're literally stopping your entire body from moving, which is a bit dramatic for a coffee break!
So, remember these points: とまります for things stopping on their own or for staying overnight, and be mindful of your particles and the nuances of "stopping." Keep practicing, and you'll get it right every time!
재미있는 사실
This verb is often confused with とめる (transitive verb, to stop something).
알아야 할 문법
When referring to a vehicle stopping, use とまります. For example, バスが駅にとまります (The bus stops at the station).
バスが駅にとまります。 (Hint: The bus stops at the station.)
When talking about staying overnight at a place, use とまります with a location particle like に or で. For example, ホテルにとまります (To stay at a hotel).
ホテルにとまります。 (Hint: To stay at a hotel.)
When referring to a person or animal stopping, you can also use とまります. For example, 子供が公園でとまります (The child stops at the park).
子供が公園でとまります。 (Hint: The child stops at the park.)
The polite form of とまります is とまります. The plain form is とまる. The 〜て form is とまって.
車がとまってください。 (Hint: Please stop the car.)
When describing a state of being stopped, you can use とまっています. For example, 車が道にとまっています (The car is stopped on the road).
車が道にとまっています。 (Hint: The car is stopped on the road.)
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
ここでとまりますか？
Does it stop here?
今日はどこにとまりますか？
Where are you staying tonight?
バスが急にとまった。
The bus suddenly stopped.
私は友達の家にとまった。
I stayed at a friend's house.
そのホテルは高くてとまらなかった。
That hotel was too expensive to stay at.
この電車は次の駅にとまります。
This train stops at the next station.
仕事のあと、オフィスにとまることがあります。
Sometimes I stay overnight at the office after work.
時計がとまっている。
The clock has stopped.
もう少しここに泊まりたい。
I want to stay here a little longer.
車が故障して、道にとまってしまった。
My car broke down and stopped in the middle of the road.
자주 혼동되는 단어
Means 'to stay overnight' or 'to lodge.' Remember the visual of someone resting in a building.
Means 'to go down' or 'to descend.' Think of going down a staircase.
Means 'to be placed on' or 'to be published.' Imagine something being put on a surface or in print.
혼동하기 쉬운
Many English speakers confuse 止まります (tomarimasu) with 泊まります (tomarimasu) due to identical pronunciation. While both are verbs and sound the same, their meanings are distinct.
止まります (tomarimasu) means 'to stop,' referring to movement ceasing. 泊まります (tomarimasu) means 'to stay overnight' or 'to lodge.'
電車が駅に止まります。 (Densha ga eki ni tomarimasu.) - The train stops at the station. ホテルに泊まります。 (Hoteru ni tomarimasu.) - I will stay overnight at a hotel.
Often confused with 下ります (おります) due to identical pronunciation. Both are verbs.
降ります (orimasu) means 'to get off' (a vehicle) or 'to disembark.' 下ります (orimasu) means 'to go down' or 'to descend.'
バスを降ります。 (Basu o orimasu.) - I get off the bus. 階段を下ります。 (Kaidan o orimasu.) - I go down the stairs.
Confused with 載ります (のります) due to identical pronunciation. Both are verbs.
乗ります (norimasu) means 'to ride' or 'to get on' (a vehicle). 載ります (norimasu) means 'to be placed on' or 'to be published.'
電車に乗ります。 (Densha ni norimasu.) - I ride the train. 新聞に記事が載ります。 (Shinbun ni kiji ga norimasu.) - The article will be published in the newspaper.
Often confused with 居ます (います) because both involve presence, but with different nuances. Both are verbs.
入ります (hairimasu) means 'to enter' or 'to go in.' 居ます (imasu) is used for the existence of animate beings (people, animals).
部屋に入ります。 (Heya ni hairimasu.) - I enter the room. 猫が部屋に居ます。 (Neko ga heya ni imasu.) - There is a cat in the room.
Confused with 効きます (ききます) due to identical pronunciation. Both are verbs.
聞きます (kikimasu) means 'to listen' or 'to ask.' 効きます (kikimasu) means 'to be effective' or 'to work' (e.g., medicine).
音楽を聞きます。 (Ongaku o kikimasu.) - I listen to music. この薬はよく効きます。 (Kono kusuri wa yoku kikimasu.) - This medicine is very effective.
어휘 가족
명사
동사
사용법
When referring to a vehicle or something inanimate coming to a halt, use 止まる (とまる). For a person or animal staying overnight, use 泊まる (とまる). This verb is an intransitive verb, meaning it doesn't take a direct object. You'll often see it with particles like が (ga) for the subject, or に (ni) for the location where something stops or someone stays.
A common mistake is confusing とまる (止まる) with とめる (止める). とめる is a transitive verb, meaning someone or something stops something else. For example, 車を止める (kuruma o tomeru - to stop a car). とまる means something stops on its own. Also, be careful with the kanji. While the pronunciation is the same, 止まる is for stopping movement, and 泊まる is for staying overnight.
어원
とまる (to stop) with masu-form ending -ます
원래 의미: to stop (intransitive), to perch
Japonic문화적 맥락
The concept of 'staying overnight' often relates to traditional Japanese inns (ryokan) or even just crashing at a friend's place. It implies a temporary lodging, usually for a single night, and is a very common and practical word to know for travel.
셀프 테스트 54 질문
Choose the correct meaning for 「とまります」 in the sentence: 「ホテルにとまります。」
「ホテルにとまります」 means 'to stay at a hotel'. The particle 「に」 indicates the location of stopping or staying.
Which of these objects can とまる (to stop) apply to?
The verb とまる (to stop) is used for things that can move and then cease movement, like a car. Books, pens, and apples do not 'stop' in this sense.
How would you say 'The bus stops here' in Japanese?
「バスはここにとまります」 means 'The bus stops here'. 「ここ」 means 'here', and 「とまります」 means 'to stop'.
「えきにとまります」 means 'to stop at the station'.
Yes, 「えきに」 means 'at the station' and 「とまります」 means 'to stop', so the phrase translates correctly.
「とまります」 can be used to say 'I will go home'.
No, 「とまります」 means 'to stop' or 'to stay overnight'. To say 'I will go home', you would use 「かえります」 (kaerimasu).
You can use 「とまります」 when a bird lands on a tree.
Yes, 「とまります」 can also be used for a bird landing and 'stopping' on a tree branch.
Choose the correct particle for this sentence: 私はホテル_とまります。
When 'とまります' means 'to stay overnight,' the particle 'に' is used to indicate the location of staying.
Which sentence correctly uses 'とまります' to mean 'to stop'?
When 'とまります' means 'to stop,' the particle 'に' is used to indicate the location where something stops.
What is the most natural way to say 'I will stay at a friend's house tomorrow'?
The particle 'に' is used with 'とまります' to indicate the place of staying. The sentence translates to 'I will stay at a friend's house tomorrow.'
You can use 'とまります' when a car stops at a traffic light.
Yes, 'とまります' (止まります) is commonly used for vehicles stopping, such as at a traffic light.
'とまります' can only be used when referring to staying overnight at a hotel.
'とまります' can also be used for staying at other places, like a friend's house, or for something coming to a stop.
If you want to say 'The train stops at the next station,' you should use 'とまります'.
'とまります' (止まります) is the correct verb to use when referring to a train stopping at a station.
Ask if you can park your car here.
Mention staying at a friend's house last night.
Ask if the train stops at the next station.
Read this aloud:
大阪で一晩泊まる場所を探しています。
Focus: おおさかでひとばん
당신의 답변:
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Read this aloud:
バスはここで止まります。
Focus: バスはここで
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
週末にどこか泊まりに行きたいです。
Focus: 週末にどこか
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you are traveling in Japan and your train suddenly stops between stations. Describe what you would do or think in this situation, using 'とまります'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
電車が駅と駅の間で突然とまりました。アナウンスを聞いて、どうすればいいか考えます。少し心配ですが、落ち着いて待とうと思います。
You are planning a trip to Kyoto and need to book a hotel. Write a short message to a friend asking for recommendations, specifically mentioning that you need a place 'to stay overnight' using とまります.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
来週、京都へ行きます。どこに泊まればいいか、おすすめのホテルがあれば教えてください。一晩とまりたいです。
Describe a time when you had to stop doing something suddenly. Use 'とまります' in your description.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
宿題をしていた時、急にパソコンがとまりました。大切なファイルを保存していなかったので、とても残念でした。すぐに再起動して作業を続けました。
この人は昨晩、どこで何をしていましたか？
Read this passage:
昨晩、友だちの家にとまりました。夜遅くまで話して、とても楽しかったです。でも、朝早く起きなければならなかったので、少し眠いです。
この人は昨晩、どこで何をしていましたか？
passage states '友だちの家にとまりました' (stayed at a friend's house) and '夜遅くまで話して' (talked until late at night).
passage states '友だちの家にとまりました' (stayed at a friend's house) and '夜遅くまで話して' (talked until late at night).
なぜこの人はすぐに道を渡りませんでしたか？
Read this passage:
公園で散歩していると、急に信号が赤にとまりました。車がたくさん通っていたので、渡るのを待ちました。安全を確認してから、道を渡りました。
なぜこの人はすぐに道を渡りませんでしたか？
The passage says '急に信号が赤にとまりました。車がたくさん通っていたので、渡るのを待ちました。' (The traffic light suddenly turned red. Many cars were passing, so I waited to cross.)
The passage says '急に信号が赤にとまりました。車がたくさん通っていたので、渡るのを待ちました。' (The traffic light suddenly turned red. Many cars were passing, so I waited to cross.)
この人は週末に何をしたいと思っていますか？
Read this passage:
最近、夜遅くまで仕事をしているので、週末は家でゆっくりとまりたいです。どこにも行かずに、ただリラックスしたいと思っています。映画を見たり、本を読んだりする予定です。
この人は週末に何をしたいと思っていますか？
The passage says '週末は家でゆっくりとまりたいです。どこにも行かずに、ただリラックスしたいと思っています。' (On the weekend, I want to stay at home and relax. I don't want to go anywhere, just relax.)
The passage says '週末は家でゆっくりとまりたいです。どこにも行かずに、ただリラックスしたいと思っています。' (On the weekend, I want to stay at home and relax. I don't want to go anywhere, just relax.)
This sentence means 'The train suddenly stopped.' The natural order in Japanese is 'Suddenly (adverb) train (subject) stopped (verb).'
This means 'Where are you staying tonight?' The natural flow starts with the time 'tonight', then 'where', and finally the verb phrase 'will you stay'.
This translates to 'I plan to stay at that hotel.' The structure is 'That hotel (location) to stay (verb in plain form) plan (noun) is (copula)'.
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 昨夜、急な出張でホテルに___。
「とまる」はホテルなどに宿泊する意味で使われます。ここでは出張でホテルに泊まった状況を表しています。
Choose the best fit: 交差点で信号が赤に変わり、車が___。
信号が赤になったので、車が停止した状況を表すには「とまった」が適切です。
Which sentence uses 「とまります」 correctly in the context of staying overnight?
「友達の家に一晩とまりました」は、友達の家に宿泊したという意味で「とまる」が正しく使われています。他の選択肢は、停止や止むという意味で使われていますが、宿泊の意味ではありません。
「今日は友達の家に泊まる予定です」は、友達の家で寝ることを意味する。
「泊まる」は、宿泊するという意味なので、友達の家で寝ることを意味します。
電車が駅で止まる場合、「電車が駅にとまります」と言うことができる。
「とまる」には、乗り物などが停止するという意味もあります。したがって、電車が駅で停止する状況を表すのに適切です。
雨が降っている状況で「雨がとまります」と言うと、雨が降り始めることを意味する。
「雨がとまる」は、雨が止む、つまり降り終わることを意味します。
This sentence describes a heated discussion that became unmanageable, leading to a temporary halt of the meeting. 「とまる」is used here in the sense of 'to stop' or 'to be suspended'.
This sentence explains being forced to stay overnight in a mountain hut due to an unexpected blizzard during a trip. 「とまる」is used in the sense of 'to stay overnight'.
This sentence describes a long period of stagnation in research finally coming to an end due to a groundbreaking discovery. 「とまる」is used metaphorically to mean 'to cease' or 'to come to a halt'.
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼の成功は、たゆまぬ努力の積み重ねによるものだと___。
「とまります」は「止まる」や「泊まる」の意味で、ここでは文脈に合いません。「思われます」は「〜だと思われる」という推量の表現で、文脈に最も適しています。
次の文で、「とまります」が不適切な箇所を選びなさい: その列車は予定通り駅に___、乗客はスムーズに乗り降りした。
「とまります」は「止まる」という意味ですが、列車が駅に到着して停車する際には一般的に「停車します」や「止まります」という表現が使われます。しかし、ここでは「乗客はスムーズに乗り降りした」とあるため、既に停車している状態を表す「停車した」がより自然です。「とまります」はここでは少し不自然な印象を与えます。
文脈に合うように、空欄に最も適切な動詞を選びなさい: この辺りは治安が良いので、安心して夜間___ことができます。
「夜間とまります」は「夜泊まる」という意味になり、宿泊する意図を表すのに適切です。他の選択肢は文脈に合いません。
「急ブレーキをかけたが、車は壁の手前でとまった。」この文の「とまった」は、「停止した」という意味で使われている。
この文の「とまった」は、車が動かなくなった、つまり停止したという意味で使われています。
「出張で東京に一週間とまります。」この文の「とまります」は、「居住する」という意味で使われている。
この文の「とまります」は、「宿泊する」「滞在する」という意味で使われています。「居住する」は長期的に住むことを指します。
「彼のスピーチは、聴衆の心に深く何かを訴えかけ、皆の思考が一瞬とまったかのように静まり返った。」この文の「とまった」は、「動きが止まった」という意味で使われている。
この文の「とまった」は、思考の動きが止まったかのように、つまり皆が静まり返った様子を比喩的に表現しています。物理的な動きだけでなく、思考などの抽象的な動きが止まる場合にも使われます。
This sentence means 'We should not stop at temporary solutions.' 'とどまる' here implies 'to be limited to' or 'to stay within bounds.'
This translates to 'The discussion remained at a superficial level.' 'とどまる' indicates that the discussion did not delve deeper.
This means 'His influence is not limited to his own country, but also extends overseas.' 'とどまらず' is a negative form of 'とどまる' indicating 'not stopping at' or 'not being limited to.'
/ 54 correct
Perfect score!
예시
電車が駅に止まります。
관련 콘텐츠
이 단어를 다른 언어로
travel 관련 단어
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.
