How to say "abide" in Japanese

• とどまるJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, intransitive verbFor 'abide' meaning to remain or stay in one place. It describes someone or something continuing to be where it is, rather than living there; it is usually written in kana alone.
  ここにとどまっていても何なんの得とくもない。↗

  There is no advantage in staying here.
• 住むすむJLPT N5approx.Common
  godan verb, intransitive verbCovers 'abide' in the sense of dwelling or residing: use it when the point is where a person lives, as in asking where someone lives or saying which city they live in.
  あなたはどのくらいの間あいだ、神戸こうべに住すんでいますか。↗

  How long have you lived in Kobe?
• 守るまもるJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThis is the word for 'abide by': it means to keep a promise or to abide by the rules, observing and obeying them. It is about compliance, not about remaining in a place.
  いったん約束やくそくしたのであれば、守まもらなければならない。↗

  Once you have made a promise, you must keep it.

Choose 「とどまる」 for 'abide' meaning to remain or stay in one place, 「住む」 for dwelling or residing somewhere, and 「守る」 for 'abide by' — keeping promises and obeying rules.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• とどまるto remain
• 住むすむto live (of humans)
• 規則を守るきそくをまもるto abide (by the rules)
• 守るまもるto keep (i.e. a promise)