Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "止める", "やめる", "止む", "辞める"
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
辞める
やめる (yameru)
N4 / 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", "辞める" 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.
- 辞める (やめる (yameru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to stop, to quit, to resign" and is used when To cease an action, habit, or occupation. Commonly used for quitting a job.
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 "辞める"
彼は先月、会社を辞めました。
He quit his job last month.
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?".