Japanese word

止まる

Pronunciation

Romajitomaru

Meaning

  • verbstop, stop moving

Example

バスが止まります。ba su ga to ma ri ma su

The bus stops.

Illustration for 止まる (stop)

More examples

おもちゃの車が止まります。o mo cha no kuruma ga to ma ri ma su

The toy car stops moving.

時計が止まりました。tokei ga to ma ri ma shi ta

The clock stopped.

Core concept

Describes something coming to rest or becoming inactive after it has been moving or operating.

Common phrases

  • 急に止まるkyū ni to ma ru

    stop suddenly

  • 信号で止まるshin gō de to ma ru

    stop at a traffic light

  • 完全に止まるkan zen ni to ma ru

    stop completely

Similar words

止めるtomeru: To make a person or thing stop moving or operating.
止むyamu: To end naturally, especially when referring to rain, wind, noise, or pain.
立ち止まるtachidomaru: To stop while walking or moving forward, usually briefly.

Definition in Japanese

移動や動作を続けていたものが、その動きや働きをやめる。i dō ya dō sa o tsuzu ke te i ta mo no ga so no ugo ki ya hatara ki o ya me ru

Word origin

止まる (tomaru) is a native Japanese verb whose deeper historical origin is uncertain; it is written with 止 (shi, "stop"), linking the word to the idea of coming to a halt.

Usage tips

  • Unlike 止める (tomeru, "make something stop"), 止まる (tomaru) describes the thing that stops, so the bus itself can be its subject.

Opposites

Related words

  • 止まり方tomarikataway of stoppingnoun

Word lists with this word