The Meaning of tomaru [止まる] In Japanese

止まる
とまる
Romaji: tomaru N5

What does 止まる mean?

Translation and Meaning

to stop, to come to a stop, to halt, to cease moving, to stop functioning

Definition

止まる means to come to a stop or to stop moving or operating; it is intransitive, describing that the subject itself ceases motion or operation rather than causing something else to stop.

Type

verb (自動詞, intransitive)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • to stop moving or to come to rest, for people, vehicles, or machinery
  • to stop functioning or to cease operation, as a device or system
  • to pause briefly or come to a halt during an activity
  • to stop time metaphorically or in expressions describing a momentary standstill
  • to come to a standstill in a process or progression

Etymology

止 meaning to stop; まる as a native intransitive verb ending; together they form a basic verb meaning stop

Composition

  • 止: stop, halt
  • まる: intransitive verb ending

Usage

Used in intransitive contexts to describe ceasing motion, stopping of devices or natural phenomena, and pauses in ongoing actions; suitable for both casual conversation and formal prose; pattern involves a subject marker followed by 止まる to indicate cessation.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: picture a red stop sign (止) with a small circle motif (maru) signaling that motion has ended; remember that the action is initiated by the subject itself, not caused by another agent.

Variations

  • 停止する (teishi suru) — to stop, halt
  • 中断する (chuudan suru) — to interrupt or suspend
  • 止める (tomeru) — to stop something actively (transitive)
  • 動く (ugoku) — opposite: to move

Example Phrases

  • バスが信号で止まると、私も歩みを止める。
    Basu ga shingou de tomaru to, watashi mo ayumi o tomeru.
    When the bus stops at the traffic light, I also stop walking.
    Lista:
    • バスが (basu ga) – the bus
    • 信号で (shingou de) – at the traffic light
    • 止まると (tomaru to) – when it stops
    • 私も (watashi mo) – me too
    • 歩みを (ayumi o) – my steps
    • 止める (tomeru) – stop
    The verb 止まる is intransitive and means ‘to stop’; in this sentence it combines with と to express a conditional: ‘when the bus stops’. Put 「止まる」 among the Kanji or Japanese Words.
止まる