Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "止める", "やめる", "止む", "とどめる"
All represent the core concept "stop", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
止める
とめる (tomeru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
やめる
やめる (yameru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
止む
やむ (yamu)
N4 / 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 "止める", "やめる", "止む", "とどめる" based on context.
- 止める (とめる (tomeru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to stop (something); to park; to fasten" and is used when Transitive verb. Used for actions like stopping a car.
- やめる (やめる (yameru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to stop, to quit, to give up" and is used when Used for stopping an action, quitting a job, or giving up a habit. Often used with a noun + 「を.
- 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.
- 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 "止める"
ここに車を止めてもいいですか。
May I park my car here?
Context for "やめる"
私はタバコを完全にやめました。
I completely quit smoking.
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 "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: "ここに車を止めてもいいですか。" (Meaning: "May I park my car here?")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "止める" is correct here because it represents "to stop (something); to park; to fasten" in the context: "May I park my car here?".