Japanese word

留める

Pronunciation

Romajitodomeru

Meaning

  • verbkeep

Example

彼をここに留めます。kare o ko ko ni to me ma su

I will keep him here.

Illustration for 留める (keep)

More examples

雨のため、店主は客を店内に留めました。ame no ta me ten shu wa kyaku o ten nai ni to me ma shi ta

Because of the rain, the shopkeeper kept the customers inside.

Core concept

It keeps a person or thing from leaving or moving on by holding it in a particular place or state.

Common phrases

  • 心に留めるkokoro ni todo me ru

    keep in mind

  • 足を留めるashi o todo me ru

    stop and stay

  • 客を留めるkyaku o todo me ru

    keep a guest

  • その場に留めるso no ba ni todo me ru

    keep someone there

Similar words

引き止めるhikitomeru: To make someone stay by asking, persuading, or preventing them from leaving.
閉じ込めるtojikomeru: To keep a person or thing inside a place so that it cannot get out.
保つtamotsu: To keep something in the same condition, position, or state over time.

Definition in Japanese

人や物をその場や状態から動かさず、そこにとどまらせる。hito ya mono o so no ba ya jō tai ka ra ugo ka sa zu so ko ni to do ma ra se ru

Word origin

留める (todomeru) is a native Japanese verb related to 留まる (todomaru), "to remain," and means causing someone or something to remain.

Usage tips

  • When its object is a thought or impression, 留める (todomeru) describes retaining it in memory rather than physically holding an object.

Other meanings

  • stopverb
  • hold backverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 留め方tomekataway of keepingnoun

Word lists with this word