How to say "Stop" in Japanese

When translating "stop" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 辞める and とどめる. In Japanese, 辞める (やめる (yameru)) is typically associated with "to stop, to quit, to resign" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents To cease an action, habit, or occupation. Commonly used for quitting a job. 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!