Japanese word

立ち止まる

Pronunciation

Romajitachidomaru

Meaning

  • verbstop

Example

少し考えるため、立ち止まります。suko shi kanga e ru ta me ta chi do ma ri ma su

I stop to think for a moment.

Illustration for 立ち止まる (stop)

More examples

赤信号を見たので、立ち止まりました。aka shin gō o mi ta no de ta chi do ma ri ma shi ta

I stopped when I saw the red light.

Core concept

Shows a person breaking off movement to stay where they are for a moment, usually for a purpose such as thinking or noticing something.

Common phrases

  • 急に立ち止まるkyū ni ta chi do ma ru

    stop suddenly

  • その場で立ち止まるso no ba de ta chi do ma ru

    stand still on the spot

  • 入り口で立ち止まるi ri guchi de ta chi do ma ru

    stop at the entrance

Similar words

止まるtomaru: To cease moving or operating.
佇むtatazumu: To stand quietly in one place, often for some time.
停止するteishisuru: To stop movement or operation completely.

Definition in Japanese

歩いたり進んだりするのをやめて、その場で動かずにいる。aru i ta ri susu n da ri su ru no o ya me te so no ba de ugo ka zu ni i ru

Word origin

立ち止まる (tachidomaru) combines 立つ (tatsu, "stand") with 止まる (tomaru, "stop"); the first verb takes its 連用形 (ren'yōkei, "continuative form") before the second.

Usage tips

  • 立ち止まる (tachidomaru) is useful when a pause involves stopping one's movement, rather than merely pausing an activity or conversation.

Other meanings

  • stand stillverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word