Explanation at your level:
Hello! Today we learn とまります (tomarimasu). This word is like saying 'stop' or 'stay'. Imagine a car stopping: 車がとまります (kuruma ga tomarimasu). Or, when you sleep at a friend's house: 友達の家にとまります (tomodachi no ie ni tomarimasu). It's a polite way to say these things. You can use it when you talk about buses, trains, or places you will sleep. It's a very useful word!
The verb とまります (tomarimasu) is used for two main ideas: stopping and staying. When something stops moving, like a vehicle, we use とまります. For example, 電車が駅にとまります (densha ga eki ni tomarimasu) means 'The train stops at the station'.
It also means to stay overnight at a place. If you are going on a trip, you might say, ホテルにとまります (hoteru ni tomarimasu), meaning 'I will stay at a hotel'. This is a common and polite verb for everyday situations.
とまります (tomarimasu) is a fundamental Japanese verb with two primary meanings: 'to stop' and 'to stay (overnight)'. In the context of movement, it applies to vehicles, people halting, or even abstract concepts like a clock stopping. For example, 会議は午後3時にとまります (kaigi wa gogo san-ji ni tomarimasu) - 'The meeting will stop at 3 PM'.
When referring to accommodation, とまります implies lodging for a period, typically including an overnight stay. Phrases like 旅館にとまります (ryokan ni tomarimasu) - 'to stay at a traditional inn' - are very common. It's the polite form, making it suitable for most conversations.
The verb とまります (tomarimasu), derived from the dictionary form とまる (tomaru), carries the core meanings of 'to cease motion' and 'to lodge or stay'. Its application is broad, ranging from the physical stopping of objects, like 車が信号でとまる (kuruma ga shingō de tomaru) - 'a car stops at a traffic light', to the more nuanced act of staying overnight at a location, such as 友人の家に数日とまる予定です (yūjin no ie ni sūjitsu tomaru yotei desu) - 'I plan to stay at my friend's house for a few days'.
Understanding the context is crucial. While it can refer to a brief stop, it frequently implies an overnight stay when discussing accommodation. The politeness level of とまります makes it a standard choice in formal and semi-formal interactions, distinguishing it from more casual forms.
とまります (tomarimasu), the polite form of the verb とまる (tomaru), encompasses a spectrum of meanings related to cessation and temporary residence. Beyond the literal stopping of vehicles (e.g., 列車がホームにとまります - ressha ga hōmu ni tomarimasu, 'the train stops at the platform'), it signifies a pause in activity or progress. Metaphorically, it can denote being halted by an obstacle or circumstance.
In its sense of lodging, とまります implies a temporary dwelling, often overnight. This usage is prevalent in travel contexts, such as ビジネスホテルにとまる (bijinesu hoteru ni tomaru) - 'to stay at a business hotel'. The verb's flexibility allows it to be used in both concrete and abstract situations, requiring careful attention to context to discern the precise meaning, whether it's a physical stop, a metaphorical pause, or a period of lodging.
The verb とまります (tomarimasu), from the intransitive verb とまる (tomaru), represents a fundamental concept of stasis or temporary occupation. Its semantic range extends from the abrupt cessation of motion, as in ブレーキをかけて車を止める (burēki o kakete kuruma o tomeru) - 'to apply the brakes and stop the car' (though this is the transitive form, the intransitive とまる is implied), to the more complex notion of remaining in a state or place. The polite form, とまります, is standard in formal discourse.
Historically, the verb's core meaning of 'halting' has broadened to include the act of staying or lodging, particularly overnight. This extension is deeply embedded in Japanese cultural practices surrounding travel and hospitality. For instance, 長期滞在にとまる (chōki taizai ni tomaru) - 'to stay for a long term' - highlights its capacity to denote extended periods of residence, albeit temporary. The verb's etymological roots and semantic evolution reveal its centrality in describing states of stillness and temporary inhabitation within the Japanese language.
Word in 30 Seconds
- とまります (tomarimasu) means 'to stop' or 'to stay overnight'.
- Used for vehicles stopping and people lodging temporarily.
- Polite form, suitable for most situations.
- Distinguish from the transitive verb とめる (tomeru - to stop something).
Hey there! Let's dive into the super useful Japanese verb とまります (tomarimasu). It's one of those words that pops up in everyday conversations a lot, so knowing it well is a big win! Basically, it has two main flavors: stopping something or someone, and staying somewhere overnight.
Think about a train: it stops at the station. That's とまります! Or maybe you're planning a trip and need to find a place to stay. You'd use とまります to talk about where you'll be lodging. It's a polite, standard form of the verb, perfect for most situations.
We'll explore how this word works, where it comes from, and how you can use it like a pro. Get ready to add a fantastic verb to your Japanese toolkit!
The verb とまります (tomarimasu) comes from the dictionary form とまる (tomaru). This verb itself has a long history, tracing back to ancient Japanese. Its core meaning revolves around the idea of 'stopping' or 'halting'.
Interestingly, the kanji for 'to stop' is 止. This character depicts a foot (or a leg) halting its forward motion. Over centuries, the word evolved, and the polite '-masu' form (とまります) became the standard way to use it in polite conversation, especially when speaking to someone you don't know very well or in more formal settings.
While its core meaning of 'stopping' remains consistent, the nuance of 'staying overnight' developed as a natural extension. If something stops at a place, it might end up staying there for a while, and in Japanese culture, this often implies an overnight stay when talking about people lodging somewhere.
You'll find とまります (tomarimasu) used in a bunch of different scenarios. The key is context! If you're talking about vehicles or movement, it means 'to stop'. For example, バスがバス停でとまります (basu ga basutei de tomarimasu) - 'The bus stops at the bus stop'.
When talking about people, it often means 'to stay' or 'to lodge', especially overnight. For instance, 友達の家にとまります (tomodachi no ie ni tomarimasu) - 'I will stay at my friend's house'. It's important to note that this usage implies a temporary stay, not a permanent move.
Common word combinations (collocations) include: 駅にとまる (eki ni tomaru) - to stop at a station, ホテルにとまる (hoteru ni tomaru) - to stay at a hotel, 一晩とまる (hitoban tomaru) - to stay for one night. Remember, とまります is the polite form, so it's suitable for most everyday interactions.
While とまります (tomarimasu) itself isn't heavily featured in complex idioms, its core meaning of 'stopping' or 'staying' influences expressions.
- 足をとめる (ashi o tomeru): Literally 'to stop one's feet', this means to pause or hesitate, often due to curiosity or interest. Example: 美しい景色に足をとめた (utsukushii keshiki ni ashi o tometa) - 'I paused at the beautiful scenery.'
- 息をとめる (iki o tomeru): 'To hold one's breath'. This is used when you're very nervous, scared, or concentrating intensely. Example: 発表の時、息を止めてしまった (happyō no toki, iki o tomete shimatta) - 'I held my breath during the presentation.'
- 時間にとまる (jikan ni tomaru): 'To be stuck in time'. This implies being unable to move past a certain point or event in the past. Example: 彼は過去の時間にとまっているようだ (kare wa kako no jikan ni tomatte iru yō da) - 'He seems stuck in the past.'
- 船が港にとまる (fune ga minato ni tomaru): 'A ship docks at the harbor'. While not strictly an idiom, it's a common and evocative phrase. Example: 大型船が港にとまった (ōgata-sen ga minato ni tomatta) - 'A large ship docked at the harbor.'
- 考えをとめる (kangae o tomeru): 'To cease thinking (about something)'. This means to stop dwelling on a particular thought. Example: その心配な考えをとめた (sono shinpai na kangae o tometa) - 'I stopped thinking about that worry.'
The dictionary form is とまる (tomaru). As a Group 1 (godan) verb, it follows specific conjugation patterns. The polite '-masu' form is とまります (tomarimasu). Its negative form is とまりません (tomarimasen), past tense is とまりました (tomarimashita), and past negative is とまりませんでした (tomarimasen deshita).
Pronunciation is key! In standard Japanese, it's pronounced roughly as /to̞.ma.ɾi.ma.sɯ/. Let's break it down: 'to' like in 'toe', 'ma' like in 'mama', 'ri' like in 'reed', 'ma' again, and 'su' which is often pronounced with a very light 'u' sound, almost like 'ss'.
Rhyming words are tricky in Japanese due to syllable structure, but words ending in '-arimasu' might share a similar cadence. For example, あらいます (araimasu - to wash) or かります (karimasu - to borrow) have a similar rhythm. Stress patterns are generally quite even across syllables in Japanese, unlike English.
Fun Fact
The kanji 止 itself visually represents a foot stopping its forward movement, showing the ancient origins of the concept.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'tom-AH-ree-mahss', with the emphasis slightly on the 'AH' syllable.
Sounds like 'toh-MAH-ree-mahss', with a similar slight emphasis.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing 'su' as a full 'soo'.
- Adding unnecessary stress to syllables.
- Confusing the 'r' sound (a light flap, similar to the 'tt' in 'butter' in American English) with a hard 'r'.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read in context.
Straightforward conjugation.
Commonly used, good for practice.
Frequently heard in daily conversation.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Verb Conjugation (Group 1 / Godan)
とまる -> とまります (polite), とまる (plain), とまった (past), とまらない (negative)
Particles に and で for Location
駅<strong>に</strong>とまる (stop <strong>at</strong> the station - destination/point), 駅<strong>で</strong>とまる (stop <strong>at</strong> the station - location of stopping)
Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs
とまる (intransitive) vs. とめる (transitive)
Examples by Level
バスがとまります。
Bus stops.
Subject + particle + verb.
ホテルにとまります。
At hotel will stay.
Location + particle + verb.
ここでとまります。
Here stop.
Place + particle + verb.
電車が駅にとまります。
Train station at stops.
Subject + location + particle + verb.
明日、友達の家にとまります。
Tomorrow, friend's house at will stay.
Time + location + particle + verb.
バスは止まりますか？
Bus stops?
Question particle か.
いいえ、止まりません。
No, not stop.
Negative form.
駅で止まります。
Station at stop.
このバスは終点までとまりますか？
This bus terminal until stops?
Question about destination.
明日は、東京のホテルにとまります。
Tomorrow, Tokyo in hotel at will stay.
Specifying location for overnight stay.
車が交差点で止まりました。
Car intersection at stopped.
Past tense of 'to stop'.
駅にとまる電車に乗ってください。
Station at stops train ride please.
Instruction using the verb.
友達の家に泊まります。
Friend's house at will stay.
Common phrasing for staying over.
このバスはどこにとまりますか？
This bus where stops?
Asking for stopping points.
一晩だけとまります。
One night only will stay.
Specifying duration of stay.
バス停で止まってください。
Bus stop at please stop.
Polite request to stop.
このバスは主要な駅には必ずとまります。
This bus major stations at certainly stops.
Certainty of stopping at key locations.
旅行中は、毎晩違うホテルにとまる予定です。
During travel, every night different hotel at will stay plan is.
Planning multiple overnight stays.
事故のため、一時的に運行がとまりました。
Accident due to, temporarily operation stopped.
Temporary halt in service.
彼は出張で、地元のビジネスホテルにとまることになった。
He business trip by, local business hotel at stay decision became.
Arrangement for an overnight stay during a business trip.
この道は普段は車がとまることは少ない。
This road usually cars stop is few.
Infrequent stopping of vehicles.
週末は、祖父母の家にとまることにしました。
Weekend at, grandparents' house at stay decided.
Decision to stay overnight.
そのプロジェクトは、資金不足でとまってしまった。
That project, funding shortage due to stopped.
Project halted due to lack of funds.
観光客は、この古い町並みにとまることを楽しむ。
Tourists, this old townscape at stay enjoy.
Enjoying a stay in a historic area.
この路線バスは、観光名所の近くにもとまるよう計画されている。
This local bus, tourist attractions near also stops as planned is.
Bus route designed to stop at tourist spots.
出張が長引いたため、予定より長くホテルにとまることになった。
Business trip extended because, longer than planned hotel at stay became.
Extended hotel stay due to prolonged business trip.
技術的な問題により、システムは予期せずとまってしまった。
Technical issues due to, system unexpectedly stopped.
System halt due to technical issues.
彼は、過去の栄光にとどまり、新しい挑戦を避けている。
He, past glory in remains, new challenges avoids.
Metaphorical sense: stuck in the past.
その地域では、伝統的な民宿にとまるのが一般的だ。
That region in, traditional minshuku at stay is common.
Common practice of staying at traditional inns.
交渉は難航し、合意に至る前に一時的にとまった。
Negotiations difficult, agreement reaching before temporarily stopped.
Negotiations temporarily halted.
この歴史的建造物は、その時代の建築様式をとどめている。
This historic building, that era's architectural style retains.
Retaining or preserving a style.
彼は、人生の岐路で立ち止まり、どの道に進むべきか考えている。
He, life's crossroads at stopped, which path to proceed should think is.
Figurative stopping at a decision point.
このバス路線は、都市開発計画の一環として、新たな停留所にもとまるように改訂された。
This bus route, urban development plan's part as, new stops also stops as revised was.
Bus route modification for urban development.
彼は、長年の研究が実を結ばず、その分野での活動を一時的にとどめることを余儀なくされた。
His many years research bore fruit not, that field in activity temporarily cease forced was.
Halting activities due to lack of research success.
この古典文学作品は、当時の社会風俗を色濃くとどめている。
This classic literature work, that time's social customs deeply retains.
Preserving or reflecting historical customs.
経済の停滞により、多くの企業が新規投資を控える、あるいは計画をとどめている。
Economy's stagnation due to, many companies new investment refrain, or plan halt.
Companies halting investment due to economic downturn.
彼女は、過去のトラウマにとらわれ、前に進むことができないでいる。
She, past trauma by captured, forward advance cannot.
Being held back by past trauma.
この地域に滞在する観光客は、伝統的な文化体験を求めて、古民家にとまることを好む。
This region in stay tourists, traditional cultural experience seeking, old houses in stay prefer.
Preference for staying in traditional houses for cultural experiences.
彼のスピーチは、聴衆の心に深く響き、しばらくの間、静寂にとどまった。
His speech, audience's hearts in deeply resonated, for a while, silence remained.
A moment of profound silence after an impactful speech.
この古い城は、その時代の建築様式を忠実に保存しており、歴史愛好家にとっては必見の場所となっている。
This old castle, that era's architectural style faithfully preserves, and history enthusiasts for must-see place has become.
Preserving historical architectural style.
その芸術作品は、作者の精神的葛藤を克明にとどめており、鑑賞者に深い思索を促す。
That artwork, creator's spiritual conflict clearly retains, and viewers profound contemplation encourages.
Art retaining the creator's inner turmoil.
歴史的建造物の保存にあたっては、その時代の息吹をとどめることが至上命題とされる。
Historic building's preservation regarding, that era's spirit retain is supreme mission considered.
Preserving the 'spirit' or essence of an era in historic structures.
彼の小説は、現代社会の空虚さを見事に捉え、読者の心に警鐘を鳴らし続けている。
His novel, modern society's emptiness excellently captures, and readers' hearts warning bell continues to ring.
Figurative: The novel 'holds' or 'captures' a societal issue.
この地域は、近代化の波に抗い、古来より伝わる生活様式を色濃くとどめている。
This region, modernization's wave resisting, since ancient times passed down lifestyle deeply retains.
Maintaining ancient lifestyles against modernization.
その政治家は、過去の失言にとらわれ、国民の信頼回復に苦慮している。
That politician, past gaffes by captured, public trust recovery struggling is.
Being held back or 'stuck' by past mistakes.
この古い灯台は、幾多の嵐を乗り越え、今なお航海士たちを導く光をとどめている。
This old lighthouse, numerous storms overcoming, still navigates guiding light retains.
The lighthouse 'holds' or 'emanates' its guiding light.
学術会議では、議論が白熱するあまり、予定時間を大幅にとまることもあった。
Academic conference in, discussion heated too much, scheduled time significantly halt also occurred.
Discussions exceeding scheduled time.
彼の芸術は、伝統的な技法と現代的な感性を融合させ、独自の表現世界を構築している。
His art, traditional techniques and modern sensibility fuses, unique expressive world is constructing.
The art 'holds' or 'embodies' a fusion of styles.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"足をとめる (ashi o tomeru)"
To pause or hesitate; to stop walking.
美しいディスプレイを見て、思わず足をとめた。(Utsukushii disupurei o mite, omowazu ashi o tometa.) - Seeing the beautiful display, I involuntarily stopped.
neutral"息を止める (iki o tomeru)"
To hold one's breath.
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.
neutral"船が港にとまる (fune ga minato ni tomaru)"
A ship docks at the harbor.
長い航海の末、船が港にとまった。(Nagai kōkai no sue, fune ga minato ni tomatta.) - After a long voyage, the ship docked at the harbor.
neutral"時間にとまる (jikan ni tomaru)"
To be stuck in time; to be unable to move past a certain point.
彼はあの日の出来事で、時間が止まっているようだ。(Kare wa ano hi no dekigoto de, jikan ga tomatte iru yō da.) - He seems stuck in time since the incident that day.
neutral"考えをとめる (kangae o tomeru)"
To stop thinking about something; to cease dwelling on a thought.
その心配な考えをとめて、別のことに集中しよう。(Sono shinpai na kangae o tomete, betsu no koto ni shūchū shiyō.) - Let's stop thinking about that worry and concentrate on something else. (Uses transitive 'tomeru')
neutral"足を止める (ashi o tomeru)"
To stop one's feet; to pause.
道端のパフォーマンスに足を止める人が多かった。(Michibata no pafōmansu ni ashi o tomeru hito ga ōkatta.) - Many people stopped to watch the roadside performance.
neutralEasily Confused
Both relate to stopping, and the pronunciation is similar.
とまる (tomaru) is intransitive ('to stop' by itself), while とめる (tomeru) is transitive ('to stop something').
車が止まる (kuruma ga tomaru - The car stops). 車を止める (kuruma o tomeru - To stop the car).
Both mean 'to stay'.
とまる (tomaru) is typically for shorter, often overnight stays. 滞在する (taizai suru) implies a longer, more formal stay, like for tourism or business.
ホテルに一晩とまります (hoteru ni hitoban tomarimasu - stay one night). 京都に三日滞在します (Kyōto ni mikka taizai shimasu - stay in Kyoto for three days).
Both can imply a cessation of activity.
休む (yasumu) means 'to rest' or 'take a break', focusing on recuperation. とまる (tomaru) means to stop movement or to stay.
疲れたので休みましょう (Tsukareta node yasumimashō - Let's rest because we're tired). バス停で止まりましょう (Basutei de tomarimashō - Let's stop at the bus stop).
Opposite actions in a journey context.
行く (iku) means 'to go', indicating movement towards a destination. とまる (tomaru) means 'to stop' or 'stay' at a place.
明日、東京に行きます (Ashita, Tōkyō ni ikimasu - I will go to Tokyo tomorrow). 東京に一泊とまります (Tōkyō ni ippaku tomarimasu - I will stay one night in Tokyo).
Sentence Patterns
Noun + に + とまります
友達の家<strong>に</strong> とまります。(Tomodachi no ie <strong>ni</strong> tomarimasu.) - I will stay <strong>at</strong> my friend's house.
Noun + が + とまります
バス<strong>が</strong> とまります。(Basu <strong>ga</strong> tomarimasu.) - The bus stops.
Noun + を + とめる
車<strong>を</strong> とめてください。(Kuruma <strong>o</strong> tomete kudasai.) - Please stop the car.
Noun + で + とまります
駅<strong>で</strong> とまります。(Eki <strong>de</strong> tomarimasu.) - It stops at the station.
Noun + に + とまる (for abstract stopping)
議論は一時<strong>に</strong> とまった。(Giron wa ichiji <strong>ni</strong> tomatta.) - The discussion stopped for a while.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
とまる specifically implies a temporary stay, usually overnight.
Example: 車が止まる (kuruma ga tomaru - the car stops) vs. 車を止める (kuruma o tomeru - to stop the car).
The '-masu' form is essential for showing respect and politeness.
While とまる can mean stay, it's best for overnight or short-term lodging.
This is a common feature of Japanese pronunciation.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a hotel room. The sign on the door says 'TOMARI'. Inside, there's a clock stopped at 3:00 PM (the time you arrived to 'stop' your journey for the night).
When Native Speakers Use It
Listen for it in train announcements ('Next stop is...') and when people talk about travel plans ('Where are you staying tonight?').
Cultural Insight
In Japan, staying overnight at someone's home is common and often involves detailed etiquette. とまります is the verb used to describe this common practice.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember the particle に (ni) often marks the place where you stop or stay: ホテルに とまります (hoteru ni tomarimasu).
Say It Right
Focus on making the 'su' sound at the end of とまります very light, almost like a whisper, to sound more natural.
Don't Make This Mistake
Avoid using とまります for permanent living. It's strictly for temporary stops or stays.
Did You Know?
The kanji 止 (stop) is used in many related words like 停止 (teishi - halt) and 停車 (teisha - stopping of a vehicle).
Study Smart
Create flashcards with sentences: one side with the Japanese sentence using とまります, the other with the English translation and context (e.g., 'stopping a car' vs. 'staying at a hotel').
Transitive vs. Intransitive
Mastering the difference between とまる (intransitive) and とめる (transitive) is crucial for accurate usage.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a car (car = 'tom') stopping at a red light (red = 'a', light = 'ri') and saying 'Ma!' because it's annoyed. Tom-a-ri-ma!
Visual Association
Picture a train pulling into a station and the doors opening, with people getting off to 'stay' or just 'stop' there.
Word Web
Challenge
Try describing your daily commute using とまります for every time a vehicle stops.
Word Origin
Japanese
Original meaning: To halt, to cease motion.
Cultural Context
No particular cultural sensitivity associated with this word itself, but politeness level (using '-masu' form) is important.
In English-speaking cultures, 'stop' can be very abrupt, while 'stay' implies a longer duration. Japanese 'tomarimasu' bridges these concepts smoothly.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Travel & Accommodation
- ホテルにとまります。(Hoteru ni tomarimasu.) - I will stay at a hotel.
- 旅館にとまりたい。(Ryokan ni tomaritai.) - I want to stay at a traditional inn.
- 友達の家にとまります。(Tomodachi no ie ni tomarimasu.) - I will stay at my friend's house.
Transportation
- バスが止まります。(Basu ga tomarimasu.) - The bus stops.
- 次の駅で止まりますか？(Tsugi no eki de tomarimasu ka?) - Does it stop at the next station?
- ここで止めてください。(Koko de tomete kudasai.) - Please stop here. (Using transitive form)
Daily Life
- 信号で止まる。(Shingō de tomaru.) - To stop at a traffic light.
- 少し止まりましょう。(Sukoshi tomarimashō.) - Let's stop for a bit.
- 考えをとめる。(Kangae o tomeru.) - To stop thinking about something.
Business
- 出張でホテルにとまります。(Shutchō de hoteru ni tomarimasu.) - I will stay at a hotel on a business trip.
- プロジェクトが止まった。(Purojekuto ga tomatta.) - The project stopped/halted.
Conversation Starters
"今晩、どこにとまりますか？ (Konban, doko ni tomarimasu ka?) - Where will you stay tonight?"
"このバスは主要な駅にとまりますか？ (Kono basu wa shuyō na eki ni tomarimasu ka?) - Does this bus stop at the main stations?"
"旅行中、どんなホテルにとまりたいですか？ (Ryokōchū, donna hoteru ni tomaritai desu ka?) - What kind of hotels do you want to stay at during your travels?"
"急に止まったので、びっくりしました。(Kyū ni tomatta node, bikkuri shimashita.) - I was surprised because it stopped suddenly."
"昔の思い出にとどまっていますか、それとも前に進んでいますか？(Mukashi no omoide ni todomatte imasu ka, soretomo mae ni susunde imasu ka?) - Are you stuck in memories of the past, or moving forward?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you stayed somewhere interesting. Where was it and why did you choose to stay there?
Think about your commute. Where do vehicles typically stop on your route?
Write about a situation where you had to 'stop' or 'halt' a plan. What happened?
Imagine you are traveling. Describe the place you are staying tonight using the verb とまります.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsとまる (tomaru) is intransitive, meaning 'to stop' (e.g., the car stops). とめる (tomeru) is transitive, meaning 'to stop something' (e.g., I stop the car). It's a common point of confusion for learners.
No, とまります specifically implies a temporary stay, usually overnight or for a short period. For permanent residence, use words like 住む (sumu).
It's used for both! Vehicles stop, and people stay overnight at places like hotels or friends' houses.
とまります is generally for shorter stays, often overnight. 滞在する implies a longer, more formal stay, like for tourism or business trips.
It's pronounced 'to-ma-ri-ma-su'. Pay attention to the light 'u' sound at the end of 'su'.
Yes, you can. For example, '信号でとまります' (shingō de tomarimasu) means 'I stop at the traffic light'. However, the transitive form '止める' (tomeru) is often used when *you* are the one stopping the car, like '信号で車を止めました' (shingō de kuruma o tomemashita).
Yes, besides 滞在する (taizai suru), you might hear 泊まる (tomaru - dictionary form of とまります), 宿る (yadoru - more literary), or even いる (iru) in casual contexts for people staying over.
The kanji 止 (shi, to) means 'stop' or 'halt'. It visually depicts a foot stopping its forward motion.
Test Yourself
バスが ____。
The sentence is about a bus stopping, so 'とまります' (stops) is the correct verb.
「友達の家にとまります」の意味は？
The phrase '友達の家にとまります' specifically means to stay overnight at a friend's house.
「この電車は京都にとまります。」は、「This train stops at Kyoto.」という意味です。
The sentence correctly uses 'とまります' to indicate that the train will stop at Kyoto station.
Word
Meaning
These pairs match common phrases with their English meanings.
The correct sentence order is '明日、ホテルにとまります' (Tomorrow, I will stay at a hotel).
急な仕事のため、予定を ____ なければなりませんでした。
This requires the transitive form 'tomete' (to stop/cancel) in the '-nakereba naranai' structure (had to).
「彼のキャリアは停滞している」という文脈で、最も近い意味を持つ表現は？
'停滞している' (teitai shite iru) means stagnant or stalled, which is closest to '止まっています' (tomatte imasu - is stopped).
「この古い城は、当時の面影をとどめている」という文は、「This old castle retains the atmosphere of that time.」という意味です。
The verb 'とどめている' (todomete iru) here means 'retains' or 'preserves', fitting the context of an old castle maintaining its historical atmosphere.
電車が駅に ____。
Trains stop at stations, so 'とまります' (stops) is the correct verb.
The correct sentence order is '友達の家に一晩とまります' (I will stay one night at my friend's house).
Score: /10
Summary
Mastering とまります unlocks essential vocabulary for travel, transportation, and everyday interactions in Japanese.
- とまります (tomarimasu) means 'to stop' or 'to stay overnight'.
- Used for vehicles stopping and people lodging temporarily.
- Polite form, suitable for most situations.
- Distinguish from the transitive verb とめる (tomeru - to stop something).
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a hotel room. The sign on the door says 'TOMARI'. Inside, there's a clock stopped at 3:00 PM (the time you arrived to 'stop' your journey for the night).
When Native Speakers Use It
Listen for it in train announcements ('Next stop is...') and when people talk about travel plans ('Where are you staying tonight?').
Cultural Insight
In Japan, staying overnight at someone's home is common and often involves detailed etiquette. とまります is the verb used to describe this common practice.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember the particle に (ni) often marks the place where you stop or stay: ホテルに とまります (hoteru ni tomarimasu).
Example
電車が駅に止まります。
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More travel words
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.
