止まる

• Reading: とまる
• Romaji: tomaru
• Kanji breakdown: 止 (shi/to) — to stop, to halt, to cease
• Pronunciation: /to.ma.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To stop (moving); to come to a stop; to halt. Describes something ceasing movement on its own.

A Group 1 (godan) intransitive verb conjugated with the る ending (止まって, 止まった, 止まります). The intransitive counterpart of 止める (to stop something). Common uses: 車が止まる (the car stops), 時計が止まる (the clock stops), 足が止まる (one's feet stop — to stop in one's tracks). Note: 泊まる (also tomaru) means 'to stay overnight' — different kanji.

Examples

1. 赤い信号で車が止まりました。 The car stopped at the red light.
2. エレベーターが急に止まった。 The elevator suddenly stopped.
3. 雨が止まるまで待ちましょう。 Let's wait until the rain stops.

Usage Guide

Context: traffic, daily life, machines

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 止 depicts a foot at rest, with the lower strokes representing toes that have stopped moving. It is one of the most ancient pictographic characters for cessation.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal