The Meaning of yameru [辞める] In Japanese

辞める
やめる
Romaji: yameru N4

What does 辞める mean?

Translation and Meaning

to quit, to resign, to stop, to give up; stop doing something or leave a job/position

Definition

辞める (yameru) means to voluntarily end or discontinue something, most commonly used for resigning from a job or stopping an ongoing activity; it expresses the decision to cease participation, abandon a role, or halt an action and is conjugated like a standard ru-verb in speech and polite forms.

Type

verb (transitive; ichidan — 一段動詞 / ru-verb)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • 1. to cease a habitual action or habit (e.g., stop smoking or stop a routine)
  • 2. to discontinue participation in clubs, classes, projects, or memberships
  • 3. to abandon an attempt, plan, or course of study
  • 4. colloquial imperative use to tell someone to stop doing something (used like “stop it!” in casual speech)
  • 5. to decline or turn down an offer in polite contexts (e.g., refusing a proposed job or invitation)

Composition

  • 辞 (ji / yame): the kanji carries meanings of ‘resign/decline’ and contains the speech radical, so when combined with the verb ending the sense becomes ‘to give up/step down’ (the verb ending める converts the concept into the action of stopping or resigning).

Usage

Used both in casual conversation and formal contexts to indicate quitting or stopping; everyday speech uses plain 辞める (yameru) and polite 辞めます (yamemasu), while written business language often prefers formal compounds; it commonly takes a direct object with を when leaving an organization and appears in commands/requests when asking someone to stop.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine handing in a resignation note — you utter the 辞 (words to leave) and then you yameru (stop/quit).

Variations

  • 辞職する (jishoku suru) — to resign (formal)
  • 退職する (taishoku suru) — to leave one’s job or retire
  • やめる (yameru, kana-only) — same verb written without kanji, neutral register
  • 止める (tomeru) — to stop something (different nuance/kanji for ceasing an action)
  • 続ける (tsuzukeru) — to continue (antonym)
辞める