Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "止まる", "止む", "立ち止まる", "とどめる"
All represent the core concept "stop", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
止まる
とまる (tomaru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
止む
やむ (yamu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
立ち止まる
たちどまる (tachidomaru)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
とどめる
とどめる (todomeru)
N2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "stop" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "止まる", "止む", "立ち止まる", "とどめる" based on context.
- 止まる (とまる (tomaru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to stop (intransitive)" and is used when Intransitive verb. Used for something coming to a halt on its own. The transitive equivalent is 止める.
- 止む (やむ (yamu) - Level: N4): Maps to "to stop, to cease (e.g., rain, wind, sound)" and is used when Usually used for natural phenomena.
- 立ち止まる (たちどまる (tachidomaru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to stop, to come to a halt" and is used when Refers to physically stopping movement or metaphorically pausing one's progress or thoughts..
- とどめる (とどめる (todomeru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to stop, to keep, to retain, to hold" and is used when 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。.
Context for "止まる"
電車が駅に止まりました。
The train stopped at the station.
Context for "止む"
雨が止んだら、出かけましょう。
Let's go out when the rain stops.
Context for "立ち止まる"
信号が赤になったので、自転車を立ち止まらせた。
The traffic light turned red, so I stopped my bicycle.
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.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "電車が駅に止まりました。" (Meaning: "The train stopped at the station.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "止まる" is correct here because it represents "to stop (intransitive)" in the context: "The train stopped at the station.".