Explanation at your level:
Hello! Today we're learning the word 止まる (tomaru). It means 'to stop'. Imagine you are running, and then you stop. That is tomaru. A car stops at a red light. The car tomaru. It's a simple word for when things stop moving. You can say 'The bus stops here.' (バスがここに止まる - Basu ga koko ni tomaru). It's easy!
Tomaru (止まる) is a Japanese verb meaning 'to stop'. It's used when something ceases its movement or operation. For example, 'The train stopped at the station' (電車が駅に止まった - Densha ga eki ni tomatta). You can also use it for things like a clock stopping: 'My watch stopped' (時計が止まった - Tokei ga tomatta). It's an intransitive verb, so the subject is the thing that stops. It's a very common and useful verb for everyday situations.
The Japanese verb 止まる (tomaru) signifies the act of stopping, typically referring to movement or operation. It's an intransitive verb, meaning the subject itself comes to a halt. For instance, 'The car stopped at the intersection' (車が交差点で止まった - Kuruma ga kōsaten de tomatta). You might also hear it in contexts like 'The music stopped' (音楽が止まった - Ongaku ga tomatta). It's important to distinguish it from the transitive verb tomu (止む) which means to stop *something else* from happening, like rain stopping (雨が止む - Ame ga yamu).
Tomaru (止まる) is a fundamental Japanese intransitive verb meaning 'to stop'. It describes a cessation of motion or activity. Common collocations include stopping at a location (e.g., eki ni tomaru - to stop at a station) or a device ceasing to function (e.g., tokei ga tomaru - the clock stops). Context is key, as tomaru implies the subject is the one stopping. For example, 'The vehicle stopped' (乗り物が止まった - Norimono ga tomatta). Be mindful of its distinction from the transitive tomu (止む), often used for natural phenomena like rain or wind ceasing.
In Japanese linguistics, 止まる (tomaru) represents an intransitive verb denoting the termination of motion or function. Its usage spans physical movement, such as vehicles halting at designated points (e.g., basu ga teishaba ni tomaru - the bus stops at the bus stop), to the cessation of mechanical operations (e.g., enjin ga tomaru - the engine stops). The semantic field also extends metaphorically, as in 'time stopped' (jikan ga tomaru), conveying a sense of pause or suspension. Careful distinction must be made with the related transitive verb tomu (止む), which implies causing something to stop, particularly natural phenomena like rain or wind.
The Japanese verb tomaru (止まる), derived from the ancient character 止 signifying halt or restraint, embodies the concept of intransitive cessation. Its etymological roots underscore its core meaning of self-initiated or externally induced stopping of movement or activity. Beyond its literal applications, such as a train halting at a platform (densha ga hōmu ni tomaru), tomaru can function metaphorically, describing moments of profound stillness or arrested development. Its grammatical role as an intransitive verb contrasts sharply with the transitive tomu (止む), which conveys agency in stopping phenomena like wind or rain. Understanding the subtle semantic boundaries and historical evolution of tomaru is crucial for nuanced comprehension and sophisticated expression in Japanese.
Word in 30 Seconds
- 止まる (tomaru) means 'to stop' (intransitive).
- Used for cars, machines, people stopping movement.
- Distinguish from 止める (tomeru - transitive) and 止む (yamu - weather).
- Can be used figuratively (e.g., 'time stopped').
Hey there! Let's dive into the Japanese verb 止まる (tomaru). It's a super useful word that means 'to stop' in the sense of something coming to a halt, either by itself or due to an external force. Think of it as the opposite of moving or continuing. It's an intransitive verb, meaning the subject of the sentence is the one that stops, rather than acting upon something else to make it stop (that would be tomeru, the transitive form!).
You'll use tomaru in all sorts of everyday situations. Did the train stop at the station? Densha ga eki ni tomarimashita. (電車が駅に止まりました。) Is your watch broken and stopped? Tokei ga tomatte imasu. (時計が止まっています。) It's a fundamental verb for describing a pause or an end to motion. We'll explore its nuances, how it differs from similar words, and how to use it like a pro!
The verb tomaru has a long history, tracing its roots back to ancient Japanese. Its kanji character, 止, is quite evocative. It originally depicted a foot stepping on a line or a crossroad, symbolizing the act of halting or preventing movement. This visual origin perfectly captures the essence of stopping.
Over centuries, the meaning has remained remarkably consistent. It has always been associated with the cessation of motion. In classical Japanese, you might find variations in its conjugation, but the core concept of 'stopping' endures. It's fascinating how this single character and verb have maintained their significance through the evolution of the language, serving as a foundational element for describing stillness and pauses in countless contexts.
Tomaru is your go-to verb when you want to say something has stopped moving or functioning. It's an intransitive verb, so the subject is what stops. For instance, a car stops (車が止まる - kuruma ga tomaru), a person stops walking (歩くのを止まる - aruku no o tomaru), or a machine stops working (機械が止まる - kikai ga tomaru). Remember, it’s not used when you *make* something stop; that requires the transitive verb tomeru.
Common collocations include stopping at a specific place (〜に止まる - ~ni tomaru), like a bus stopping at a bus stop (バスがバス停に止まる - basu ga basutei ni tomaru). You'll also hear it in phrases like 'time stopped' (時間が止まる - jikan ga tomaru) or 'rain stopped' (雨が止む - ame ga yamu), though yamu is often preferred for weather phenomena like rain or wind stopping.
The register is generally neutral, making it suitable for most situations, from casual chats to more formal announcements. Pay attention to context to ensure you're using tomaru correctly!
While tomaru itself is quite direct, it appears in expressions that add a bit of flavor:
- 足が止まる (ashi ga tomaru): Literally 'feet stop'. This idiom means to stop walking, often because something has caught your attention or you're hesitant. Example: 魅力的な店を見て、彼の足が止まった。(Mireiteki na mise o mite, kare no ashi ga tomatta. - Seeing the attractive shop, his steps halted.)
- 息を止める (iki o tomeru): This uses the transitive verb tomu (to stop something), but it's related. It means to hold one's breath, usually out of surprise, fear, or concentration. 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.)
- 手が止まる (te ga tomaru): Similar to 'ashi ga tomaru', this means 'hands stop'. It implies stopping an action, often work or eating, due to a sudden event or realization. Example: ニュースを聞いて、食べる手が止まった。(Nyūsu o kiite, taberu te ga tomatta. - Hearing the news, my hands stopped eating.)
- 時間が止まったようだった (jikan ga tomatta yō datta): 'It was as if time had stopped.' This is used to describe a moment of intense focus, shock, or beauty where everything else seems to fade away. Example: その美しい景色を見たとき、まるで時間が止まったようだった。(Sono utsukushii keshiki o mita toki, marude jikan ga tomatta yō datta. - When I saw that beautiful scenery, it was as if time had stopped.)
- 立ち止まる (tachidomaru): This is a compound verb meaning 'to stop standing' or simply 'to stop (while walking)'. It's a very common and direct way to say someone stopped in their tracks. Example: 交差点で立ち止まって信号が変わるのを待った。(Kōsaten de tachidomatte shingō ga kawaru no o matta. - I stopped at the intersection and waited for the light to change.)
Tomaru (止まる) is a Group 1 verb (a 'u'-verb) in Japanese. This means its stem ends in a 'u' sound, and it follows a predictable conjugation pattern. For example, the past tense is tomatta (止まった), the te-form is tomatte (止まって), and the potential form is tomareru (止まれる). The negative form is tomaranai (止まらない).
Pronunciation is straightforward. In standard Japanese, it's pronounced /to̞.ma.ɾu/. The 'r' sound is a flap, similar to the 'tt' in the American English pronunciation of 'butter' or 'ladder'. There isn't significant stress on any particular syllable; it's fairly evenly pronounced.
Rhyming words are less common in Japanese due to its syllable structure, but words ending in '-aru' might share a similar sound, like aru (ある - to exist), waru (割る - to break), or haru (張る - to stretch). However, context and meaning are key, so don't rely solely on sound.
Fun Fact
The kanji 止 originally looked like a foot stepping over a line, visually representing the act of stopping or preventing movement.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'toh-mah-roo', with a light flap 'r' sound.
Similar to British, 'toh-mah-roo', with a tapped 'r'.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'r' too strongly like in English 'r'.
- Adding stress to one syllable instead of even pronunciation.
- Confusing with similar-sounding words due to lack of clear syllable distinction.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read in basic contexts, harder in figurative/formal language.
Easy for basic sentences, requires care for transitive/intransitive distinction and homophones.
Pronunciation is straightforward, but choosing the right verb (tomaru, tomeru, yamu, etc.) needs practice.
Generally easy to identify in context, but homophones can be tricky.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Intransitive vs. Transitive Verbs
車が止まった (car stopped) vs. 車を止めた (I stopped the car)
Verb Te-form Usage
立ち止まって考える (Tachidomatte kangaeru - Stop and think)
Using ~てしまう (~te shimau)
バスが止まってしまった (Basu ga tomatte shimatta - The bus stopped, unfortunately)
Examples by Level
車が止まる。
car / stops.
Subject + が + Verb (dictionary form)
バスが止まった。
bus / stopped.
Past tense of tomaru: tomatta
ここで止まってください。
here / please stop.
Imperative form: ~te kudasai
時計が止まる。
watch / stops.
Subject + が + Verb (dictionary form)
足が止まった。
feet / stopped.
Idiomatic use: feet stop
電車は駅に止まる。
train / station / stops.
Location particle: に
歩くのを止めた。
walking / stopped.
Verb nominalized with の + を止めた
止まる場所。
stop / place.
Noun modifying a noun
電車が駅に止まりました。
train / station / stopped.
Polite past tense: ~mashita
時計が壊れて止まった。
watch / broken / stopped.
Reason clause: ~te
雨が止んだ。
rain / stopped.
Often used with やむ (yamu) for weather
彼は急に立ち止まった。
he / suddenly / stopped standing.
Compound verb: tachidomaru
エンジンが止まってしまった。
engine / stopped (unfortunately).
Expressing regret/unexpectedness: ~te shimatta
その店はもう止まっている。
that / shop / already / stopped.
Ongoing state: ~te iru
飛行機は３時に止まる予定です。
airplane / 3 o'clock / stop / plan.
Future plan: ~yotei desu
彼の話を聞いて、手が止まった。
his / story / heard / hands / stopped.
Idiomatic use: te ga tomaru
バスが次のバス停で止まります。
bus / next / bus stop / stops.
Future action: dictionary form
信号が青に変わるまで、車は止まっていた。
signal / green / change / until / car / was stopped.
Past continuous state: ~te ita
突然の物音に、彼は立ち止まった。
sudden / noise / because of / he / stopped standing.
Cause and effect: ~ni
この時計は止まっているようですね。
this / watch / stopped / seems.
Describing a state: ~te iru you desu
彼は驚きのあまり、言葉も出ずに立ち止まった。
he / surprise / so much / words / not coming out / stopped standing.
Expressing extreme emotion: ~amari
この機械は自動的に止まるようになっています。
this / machine / automatically / stops / designed to.
Designed to do something: ~you ni natte iru
彼の進歩が止まったのは残念だ。
his / progress / stopped / is / regrettable.
Nominalizing a clause: ~no wa
その知らせを聞いて、彼女は作業の手を止めた。
that / news / heard / she / work / hands / stopped.
Idiomatic usage: te o tometa
目的地に到着する前に、車は一度止まる必要がある。
destination / arrive / before / car / once / stop / need.
Necessity: ~hitsuyou ga aru
長年の努力が実を結ばず、彼のキャリアはそこで止まってしまった。
many years / effort / bear fruit / not / his / career / there / stopped (unfortunately).
Expressing disappointment: ~te shimatta
突然のサイレンに、道行く人々は皆、足を止めた。
sudden / siren / road / going / people / all / feet / stopped.
Widespread action:皆 (minna)
この古い時計は、時々止まってしまうことがある。
this / old / watch / sometimes / stops / happens.
Possibility/occurrence: ~koto ga aru
歴史の流れは簡単には止まらない。
history / flow / easy / not stop.
Figurative usage
彼の発言を聞いて、議論は一時的に止まった。
his / statement / heard / discussion / temporarily / stopped.
Temporary cessation:一時的に (ichijiteki ni)
この装置は、異常を感知すると自動的に止まる。
this / device / abnormality / detect / when / automatically / stops.
Conditional clause: ~to
その美しい光景に、時間は止まったかのようだった。
that / beautiful / sight / time / stopped / as if.
Hypothetical state: ~ka no you datta
予期せぬ事態により、プロジェクトの進行は一時的に止まることになった。
unexpected / situation / due to / project / progress / temporarily / stop / decided.
Passive construction indicating decision: ~koto ni naru
彼の才能は若くして開花したが、その後伸び悩み、停滞してしまった。
his / talent / young / at age / bloom / but / after that / growth stagnate / stagnate / ended up.
Nuanced meaning of stagnation
その芸術作品は、見る者の時間を止めるほどのインパクトがあった。
that / art / work / viewer / time / stop / enough / impact / had.
Figurative impact: ~hodo no
自然災害の猛威の前では、人間の営みも一時的に止まらざるを得ない。
natural disaster / fierce power / front of / human / activities / also / temporarily / stop / cannot help but.
Compelled to do: ~zaru o enai
経済の低迷により、多くの企業の投資活動が止まっている。
economy / downturn / due to / many / companies / investment / activities / stopped.
State of inactivity: ~te iru
彼は過去の栄光に囚われ、現状から一歩も進めずに立ち止まっている。
he / past / glory / by / captured / current situation / from / one step / not moving / stopped standing.
Metaphorical stagnation
このシステムは、セキュリティ上の問題が検出されると、自動的にシャットダウンして停止する。
this / system / security / related / problem / detected / when / automatically / shut down / stop.
Sequential actions: ~shite teishi suru
その静寂は、まるで世界から音が止まったかのようだった。
that / silence / like / world / from / sound / stopped / as if.
Heightened sensory description
時代の変遷とともに、かつて隆盛を誇った産業もいずれは止まる運命にある。
era / transition / with / once / prosperity / boasted / industry / also / eventually / stop / fate / in.
Inherent destiny: ~unmei ni aru
彼の芸術は、既成概念を打ち破り、鑑賞者の認識を一時停止させる力を持っていた。
his / art / established / concepts / break through / viewer / perception / temporarily stop / power / had.
Figurative 'stopping' of perception
自然界の摂理においては、生命の循環は止まることなく続く。
natural world / law / in / life / cycle / stop / without / continues.
Emphasizing continuity: ~koto naku tsuzuku
その歴史的瞬間、観衆の息は止まったかのように静まり返った。
that / historical moment / crowd / breath / stopped / as if / fell silent.
Hyperbole for intense atmosphere
技術革新の速度は、しばしば社会の変容を一時的に停止させるほどのインパクトを与える。
technological innovation / speed / often / society / transformation / temporarily stop / enough / impact / give.
Impact causing cessation
彼は自己満足に陥り、自己研鑽の手を止めてしまった。
he / self-satisfaction / fall into / self-improvement / hands / stopped.
Idiomatic cessation of effort
この古代遺跡は、時が止まったかのような静謐さを湛えている。
this / ancient ruins / time / stopped / as if / serenity / holds.
Evocative description of atmosphere
社会の進歩は、時に既得権益層の抵抗によって足止めを食らうことがある。
society / progress / sometimes / vested interests / resistance / by / halted / receive.
Personification of societal forces
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"足が止まる (ashi ga tomaru)"
To stop walking, often due to interest, surprise, or hesitation.
The captivating display made passersby stop in their tracks.
neutral"手が止まる (te ga tomaru)"
To stop an action, especially eating or working, due to a sudden event or realization.
Hearing the news, she stopped eating mid-bite.
neutral"時間が止まったようだった (jikan ga tomatta you datta)"
It felt as if time had stopped; used to describe moments of intense focus, shock, or beauty.
In that moment of pure joy, it felt like time had stopped.
neutral"立ち止まる (tachidomaru)"
To stop standing; to stop walking.
He suddenly stopped walking and looked around.
neutral"息を止める (iki o tomeru)"
To hold one's breath, usually out of surprise, fear, or concentration. (Uses transitive 'tomu')
She held her breath in anticipation.
neutral"物事が止まる (monogoto ga tomaru)"
Things come to a standstill; activities cease.
Due to the strike, all operations have stopped.
neutralEasily Confused
Identical pronunciation to 止まる (tomaru).
Means 'to stay overnight' (at a hotel, inn, etc.).
ホテルに泊まった (Hoteru ni tomatt - Stayed at a hotel) vs. 車が止まった (Kuruma ga tomatta - The car stopped).
Similar pronunciation and related concept of staying in place.
Means 'to remain', 'to stay', often used in more literary or formal contexts for things or people staying put.
鳥が枝に留まった (Tori ga eda ni todomatta - The bird remained on the branch) vs. 電車が駅に止まった (Densha ga eki ni tomatta - The train stopped at the station).
Also means 'to stop', but has a specific usage.
Used almost exclusively for natural phenomena like rain, snow, wind, noise, or crying stopping.
雨が止んだ (Ame ga yanda - The rain stopped) vs. 時計が止まった (Tokei ga tomatta - The watch stopped).
Related meaning ('to stop') and similar sound.
This is the transitive verb, meaning 'to stop something else' or 'to prevent'. 止まる is intransitive.
私がドアを止めた (Watashi ga doa o tometa - I stopped the door) vs. ドアが止まった (Doa ga tomatta - The door stopped).
Sentence Patterns
Subject + は/が + Location + に + 止まる。
バスはバス停に止まる。(Basu wa basutei ni tomaru.) - The bus stops at the bus stop.
Subject + が + 止まる。
時計が止まった。(Tokei ga tomatta.) - The watch stopped.
Verb (dictionary form) + のを + 止める。
走るのを止めた。(Hashiru no o yameta.) - Stopped running.
Verb (te-form) + 止まる。
急に立ち止まった。(Kyū ni tachidomatta.) - Suddenly stopped.
Subject + は + Verb (te-form) + しまう。
エンジンが止まってしまった。(Enjin ga tomatte shimatta.) - The engine stopped (unfortunately).
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
止まる is intransitive (the subject stops itself), while 止める is transitive (the subject stops an object). Example: 車が止まった (The car stopped - Tomaru). 私が車を止めた (I stopped the car - Tomeru).
Example: 雨が止んだ (Ame ga yanda - The rain stopped). 電車が止まった (Densha ga tomatta - The train stopped).
The pronunciation is the same, but the kanji and meaning are different. Example: ホテルに泊まった (Hoteru ni tomatt - Stayed at a hotel). 鳥が枝に留まった (Tori ga eda ni todomatta - The bird remained on the branch).
Common errors include treating it like a Group 2 (ru-verb), e.g., *tomireta* instead of *tomareta* (potential form).
Example: 電車が止まった (Densha ga tomatta - The train stopped - neutral). 電車が止まってしまった (Densha ga tomatte shimatta - The train stopped, unfortunately/unexpectedly).
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a giant STOP sign (the kanji 止) blocking a road. Cars (representing 'tomaru') are forced to halt before it.
When Native Speakers Use It
Listen for 'tomaru' when trains announce stops, when a machine malfunctions, or when someone pauses mid-sentence.
Cultural Insight
The concept of 'ma' (間), or pause/space, is important in Japanese culture. 'Tomaru' relates to creating these moments of stillness.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember: If YOU make something stop, use 止める (tomeru). If IT stops by itself, use 止まる (tomaru).
Say It Right
Focus on the tapped 'r' sound (like the 'dd' in 'ladder') and keep the syllables evenly stressed.
Don't Make This Mistake
Avoid using 止まる for weather; use 止む (yamu) instead. Rain doesn't 'tomaru', it 'yamu'.
Did You Know?
The kanji 止 itself is a pictogram, originally showing a foot halting at a boundary.
Study Smart
Create flashcards with sentences: 'The train stopped.' 'The music stopped.' 'My watch stopped.' Practice saying them aloud.
Distinguishing Homophones
Pay close attention to the kanji for 止まる (stop), 泊まる (stay overnight), and 留まる (remain) as they are pronounced similarly but have distinct meanings.
Active Recall
Cover the Japanese word and try to recall it from the English definition, or vice versa. Test yourself frequently!
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a car (car = 'tomaru' sound) stopping suddenly at a red light.
Visual Association
Picture a foot stepping firmly onto a crossroad sign.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use 'tomaru' 5 times today in different sentences, describing things that stop.
Word Origin
Japanese
Original meaning: Depicts a foot stepping on a line or crossroad, symbolizing halting.
Cultural Context
No particular cultural sensitivity associated with the word 'stop' itself, though the context of stopping (e.g., stopping a protest) can be sensitive.
In English-speaking cultures, the concept of stopping is fundamental, seen in traffic rules, personal pauses, and the cessation of activities. The word 'stop' is ubiquitous.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Transportation
- 電車が駅に止まります。(Densha ga eki ni tomarimasu.) - The train stops at the station.
- バスはどこで止まりますか？(Basu wa doko de tomarimasu ka?) - Where does the bus stop?
- 飛行機が滑走路に止まった。(Hikōki ga kassōro ni tomatta.) - The airplane stopped on the runway.
Machines & Devices
- 時計が止まった。(Tokei ga tomatta.) - The watch stopped.
- 機械が突然止まった。(Kikai ga totsuzen tomatta.) - The machine suddenly stopped.
- この装置は自動で止まる。(Kono sōchi wa jidō de tomaru.) - This device stops automatically.
Human Actions
- 歩くのを止めた。(Aruku no o yameta.) - Stopped walking.
- 足が止まった。(Ashi ga tomatta.) - Stopped walking (idiomatic).
- 彼は話すのを止めた。(Kare wa hanasu no o yameta.) - He stopped talking.
Abstract Situations
- 時間が止まったようだ。(Jikan ga tomatta you da.) - It seems like time has stopped.
- 議論が止まった。(Giron ga tomatta.) - The discussion stopped.
- 彼の成長が止まった。(Kare no seichō ga tomatta.) - His growth stopped.
Conversation Starters
"What was the last thing you saw that made you stop and look?"
"Have you ever had a machine you rely on suddenly stop working?"
"If time suddenly stopped for everyone but you, what would you do?"
"Do you prefer journeys with many stops or direct routes?"
"What's something that, once it stops, you wish it would start again?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you had to stop what you were doing unexpectedly. What happened?
Think about a goal you were working towards. Did your progress ever stop? Why?
Write about a place that felt so peaceful it was like time had stopped.
Imagine you have a button that can stop anything – what would you choose to stop, and why?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions止まる (tomaru) is intransitive, meaning the subject stops itself (e.g., 'The car stopped'). 止める (tomeru) is transitive, meaning the subject stops something else (e.g., 'I stopped the car').
止む (yamu) is specifically used for natural phenomena like rain, snow, wind, or noise stopping. 止まる (tomaru) is used for objects, people, machines, etc.
No, while the pronunciation can be the same as 泊まる (tomaru - to stay overnight) and 留まる (todomaru - to remain), 止まる (tomaru) specifically means to stop moving or functioning.
Yes, it can be used figuratively, like 時間が止まる (jikan ga tomaru - time stops), often in expressions to convey a sense of stillness or intense focus.
It's a Group 1 (u-verb). The past tense is 止まった (tomatta), the te-form is 止まって (tomatte), and the negative is 止まらない (tomaranai).
It's a compound verb that means to stop standing or to stop walking, often implying stopping abruptly.
Yes, 停止する is a more formal synonym, often used for machines, official actions, or in written contexts.
No, for staying overnight at a hotel or inn, you should use 泊まる (tomaru).
Test Yourself
The train ______ at the station.
The sentence describes the train stopping, so 'tomaru' (to stop) is the correct verb.
Which word means 'to stop' (intransitive)?
止まる (tomaru) is the intransitive verb for stopping. 止める (tomeru) is transitive, 止む (yamu) is for weather, and 進む (susumu) means to advance.
You can use 止まる (tomaru) to say 'I stopped the car'.
False. 止まる is intransitive (the car stopped itself). To say 'I stopped the car', you need the transitive verb 止める (tomeru).
Word
Meaning
This exercise helps differentiate the usage of 止まる for objects, idiomatic phrases, and the related verb 止む for weather.
The correct sentence is '車は信号で止まった。(Kuruma wa shingō de tomatta.)' meaning 'The car stopped at the signal.'
The bus ______ at the next stop.
'Tomarimasu' is the polite form of 'tomaru' (to stop), fitting the context of a bus schedule.
Which sentence correctly uses 止まる?
機械が止まった (Kikai ga tomatta - The machine stopped) uses the intransitive verb correctly. 止めた is transitive, 止んだ is for weather.
The phrase '時間が止まった' (jikan ga tomatta) means time literally stopped.
False. It's a figurative expression meaning it felt like time stopped due to intense focus, shock, or beauty.
予期せぬ出来事により、会議は一時的に ______ ことになった。
'停止する' (teishi suru) is the formal term for cessation, fitting the context of a meeting being halted due to an unexpected event.
The sentence '歴史の流れは簡単には止まらない。(Rekishi no nagare wa kantan ni wa tomaranai.)' means 'The flow of history cannot be easily stopped,' a figurative and advanced usage.
Score: /10
Summary
Mastering 止まる (tomaru) is essential for describing pauses and halts in motion, from everyday objects to abstract concepts.
- 止まる (tomaru) means 'to stop' (intransitive).
- Used for cars, machines, people stopping movement.
- Distinguish from 止める (tomeru - transitive) and 止む (yamu - weather).
- Can be used figuratively (e.g., 'time stopped').
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a giant STOP sign (the kanji 止) blocking a road. Cars (representing 'tomaru') are forced to halt before it.
When Native Speakers Use It
Listen for 'tomaru' when trains announce stops, when a machine malfunctions, or when someone pauses mid-sentence.
Cultural Insight
The concept of 'ma' (間), or pause/space, is important in Japanese culture. 'Tomaru' relates to creating these moments of stillness.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember: If YOU make something stop, use 止める (tomeru). If IT stops by itself, use 止まる (tomaru).
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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
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冒険
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手頃
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〜の後に
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〜の後で
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航空会社
B1Airline company.
