JLPT N4・N5 Vocabulary – The difference between “止まる” and “止む”

Table of Contents

1. The difference between “止とまる” and “止やむ”
2. 止とまる
3. 止やむ
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comments

Q: What is the difference between “止とまる” and “止やむ” ?

A: Both words describe that something “stops,” but they are different.
“止とまる” is used when a physical movement stops.
“止やむ” is used when a natural event or a state disappears.
There is a clear difference between them.

止とまる (JLPT N5)

[Meaning]
It is used when a person, a vehicle, or a machine that is moving stops

[Common uses]
• Vehicles such as cars, trains, and buses
• People’s movements (walking, running, etc.)
• Machines or music that are moving or playing

[Examples]
車くるまが止とまります。

The car stops.

時計とけいが止とまっています。

The clock has stopped.

音楽おんがくが止とまりました。

The music has stopped.

止やむ (JLPT N4)

[Meaning]
It is used when something that cannot be stopped by human will, and happens naturally, comes to an end

[Common uses]
・Natural events such as rain, snow, and wind
・Sounds or noise
・Crying, shouting, or emotions (such as anger)

[Examples]
雨あめが止やみました。

The rain has stopped.

風かぜが止やみました。
The wind has stopped.

赤あかちゃんが泣なき止やみません。
The baby won’t stop crying.

Let’s Compare

[① Difference in Usage]

Verb	Target
止とまる	Things that move physically, such as people, machines, or vehicles
止やむ	Things that happen naturally and disappear naturally, such as rain, wind, sounds, or emotions

[Examples]
車くるまが急きゅうに止とまりました。
The car suddenly stopped.

時計とけいが止とまっています。
The clock has stopped.

朝あさから降ふっていた雨あめがようやく止やみました。
The rain that had been falling since morning finally stopped.

強つよい風かぜが吹ふいていましたが、止やみました。
The strong wind was blowing, but it has stopped.

[② Presence or absence of intention]

Verb	Presence or absence of intention
止とまる	It can be stopped on purpose by someone
止やむ	It stops naturally, without human intention

[Examples]
彼かれはエンジンを止とめました。
He stopped the engine.

音楽おんがくを止とめてください。
Please stop the music.

風かぜが止やんで、静しずかな夜よるが訪おとずれました。
The wind stopped, and a quiet night arrived.

あかちゃんがなかなか泣なき止やみません。
The baby won’t stop crying.

Summary

[止とまる]

• Refers to the cessation of physical movement or activity.
• Used when something that moves comes to a stop.

[止やむ]

• Natural phenomena or situations come to an end, or something naturally concludes.
• Primarily represents the conclusion of natural movements or phenomena that occur irrespective of human will.

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

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