Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Stop" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "stop", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
やめる
やめる (yameru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
とどめる
とどめる (todomeru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "stop" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between やめる and とどめる.
In Japanese, やめる (やめる (yameru)) is typically associated with "to stop, to quit, to give up" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Used for stopping an action, quitting a job, or giving up a habit. Often used with a noun + 「を.
On the other hand, とどめる (とどめる (todomeru)) maps to "to stop, to keep, to retain, to hold" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents 他動詞。漢字は「留める」や「止める」があり、文脈によって使い分ける。「留める」は、ある状態を維持する、記憶に残す、固定する。「止める」は、動きや進行を停止させる。. A literal translation of "stop" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "やめる"
私はタバコを完全にやめました。
I completely quit smoking.
Bilingual Context for "とどめる"
彼は心にその光景を留めた。
He kept that scene in his mind.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "私はタバコを完全にやめました。" (Meaning: "I completely quit smoking.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "やめる" fits here because it means "to stop, to quit, to give up" in the context of: "I completely quit smoking.". "とどめる" represents "to stop, to keep, to retain, to hold".