Japanese word

とどまる

Pronunciation

Romajitodomaru

Meaning

  • verbstay

Example

その医師はしばらく現地にとどまります。so no i shi wa shi ba ra ku gen chi ni to do ma ri ma su

The doctor will remain there for a while.

Illustration for とどまる (stay)

More examples

卒業後も私は地元にとどまります。sotsu gyō go mo watashi wa ji moto ni to do ma ri ma su

I will remain in my hometown after graduation.

Core concept

Describes staying within a place or state while resisting movement, departure, or change.

Common phrases

  • 家にとどまるie ni to do ma ru

    stay at home

  • その場にとどまるso no ba ni to do ma ru

    stay at the scene

Similar words

滞在するtaizaisuru: To stay in a place for a certain period, often as a visitor.
残るnokoru: To continue to exist or be present after others have left or a situation has changed.
居残るinokoru: To remain at a place after other people have left.
踏みとどまるfumitodomaru: To stay in place despite pressure or a desire to leave.

Definition in Japanese

人や物が移動したり変化したりせず、一定の場所や状態にいること。hito ya mono ga i dō shi ta ri hen ka shi ta ri se zu it tei no ba sho ya jō tai ni i ru ko to

Word origin

The native Japanese verb とどまる (todomaru) has been used since Old Japanese, and its meaning has remained centered on staying in a place or condition.

Usage tips

  • The expression とどまるところを知らない (todomaru tokoro o shiranai) describes something that keeps increasing or spreading without showing an end.

Opposites

Word lists with this word