ζ­’

JLPT N4

Stop

Readings

On’yomi: γ‚· (shi)
Kun’yomi: と(まる), と(める) (to(maru), to(meru))
β€’ と.まる (tomaru) – to stop (intransitive) β€’ と.める (tomeru) – to stop (transitive)

Vocabulary

歒まる
とまる
stop
歒める
とめる
stop (transitive)
禁歒
きんし
prohibition
δΈ­ζ­’
けゅうし
suspension
防歒
ぼうし
prevention

Example Sentences

θ»ŠγŒζ­’γΎγ‚ŠγΎγ™γ€‚
くるま が γ¨γΎγ‚ŠγΎγ™γ€‚
The car stops.
話を歒めてください。
はγͺし γ‚’ とめて ください。
Please stop talking.

Cultural Note

βœ‹ In Japanese culture, the concept of ζ­’ extends beyond physical stopping:
β€’ Safety and order: Stopping at red lights, respecting traffic rules, and halting inappropriate behavior is emphasized.
β€’ Moral and social context: Phrases like γ€Œζ‚ͺいことを歒める」(to stop doing bad things) reflect social discipline.
β€’ Ritual context: In Shinto practices, stopping before entering a sacred space (like a shrine) is a form of respect β€” literally β€œhalting before the divine.”
Thus, ζ­’ represents not only physical halting but also social and moral restraint.