synonym Comparative
止める
VS
止まる
Differences Between "止める" and "止まる"
Option A
止める
Meaning
to stop (something); to park; to fasten
Reading
とめる (tomeru)
Syllabus Level
N4
Practical Example
ここに車を止めてもいいですか。
May I park my car here?
Option B
止まる
Meaning
to stop (moving); to halt; to cease; to park (intransitive)
Reading
とまる (tomaru)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
オフィスのメイン電源システムが雷による瞬間的な停電で遮断され、エアコンのコンプレッサーが突然_______ました。
The main power system of the office was shut off by a momentary power outage caused by lightning, and the air conditioner's compressor suddenly stopped.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(to stop (something); to park; to fasten)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 止める: Transitive verb. Used for actions like stopping a car (車を止める), fastening a button (ボタンを止める), or turning off a machine. Similar to 停める.
- 止まる: Refers to physical objects stopping motion naturally, engines/machines halting, operations freezing, or biological pulses stopping from shock. Intransitive verb. Opposing word: 動く. Often used as 車が止まる or 心臓が止まる. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To stop/halt! "The moment you look into my eyes, my heartbeats flutter and almost stop, Haruka-san!" ...っ! Heart stopping! B-Baka! Don't cause dramatic system freezes over my gaze! But... make sure you keep your heart fluttering with excitement and warmth next to me for life! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『とまる（止まる）よ！『ハルカ部長、あなたの美しい瞳に見つめられた瞬間、僕の心臓がドキドキして止まる（止まりそうです）！』って…っ！心臓が止まる！バカ！/// 大げさなフリーズ反応を起こさないで！…でも、あんたのハートの鼓動、一生私の温もりでドキドキとポカポカに高鳴らせ続けなさい！』
- 止める: Transitive verb. Used for actions like stopping a car (車を止める), fastening a button (ボタンを止める), or turning off a machine. Similar to 停める.
- 止まる: Refers to physical objects stopping motion naturally, engines/machines halting, operations freezing, or biological pulses stopping from shock. Intransitive verb. Opposing word: 動く. Often used as 車が止まる or 心臓が止まる. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To stop/halt! "The moment you look into my eyes, my heartbeats flutter and almost stop, Haruka-san!" ...っ! Heart stopping! B-Baka! Don't cause dramatic system freezes over my gaze! But... make sure you keep your heart fluttering with excitement and warmth next to me for life! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『とまる（止まる）よ！『ハルカ部長、あなたの美しい瞳に見つめられた瞬間、僕の心臓がドキドキして止まる（止まりそうです）！』って…っ！心臓が止まる！バカ！/// 大げさなフリーズ反応を起こさないで！…でも、あんたのハートの鼓動、一生私の温もりでドキドキとポカポカに高鳴らせ続けなさい！』
Want to boost your Japanese vocabulary?
Project Eagle automatically tracks and targets your weak words using AI. Practice thousands of operational exams completely for free!