留める・止める・停める|とどめるtodomeru[3]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
留める留める is the most common written form and the preferred choice for beginners; use it when writing this word.
止める止める is a less common written form of this word. You may encounter it, but 留める is the better choice for beginners.
停める停める is the least common of the three written forms. Recognize it as a variant, but use 留める as a beginner.
Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto stop; to stay (e.g. the night); to cease; to put an end to
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto contain; to keep (in position, in place); to limit
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto record (e.g. a fact); to retain
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 留める（とどめる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 留めます（とどめます） |
| Negative (nai) | 留めない（とどめない） |
| polite (masen) | 留めません（とどめません） |
| classical zu / nu | 留めず・留めぬ（とどめず・とどめぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 留めた（とどめた） |
| polite (mashita) | 留めました（とどめました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 留めなかった（とどめなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 留めませんでした（とどめませんでした） |
| Te form | 留めて（とどめて） |
| Potential | 留められる（とどめられる） |
| Passive | 留められる（とどめられる） |
| Causative | 留めさせる（とどめさせる） |
| Causative passive | 留めさせられる（とどめさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 留めれば（とどめれば） |
| tara | 留めたら（とどめたら） |
| Volitional | 留めよう（とどめよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 留めましょう（とどめましょう） |
| Imperative | 留めろ（とどめろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym止めるとめるNeutralThe everyday word for making something stop, as in 「車を止める」. 「留める」 (とどめる) is more written-style, meaning to hold something in place, keep it as is, or limit it.
- SynonymストップCasualA loanword for stopping, common in speech. 「留める」 is more written-style and means holding something in place, keeping it there, or limiting it.
- Synonym停止ていしNeutralA noun for something ceasing to run or operate. 「留める」 focuses on holding something in place, keeping it where it is, or limiting it.
- Synonym阻止そしNeutralPreventing something from happening, with emphasis on blocking it. 「留める」 can also mean holding someone back, but adds senses of keeping or limiting.
- Synonym差し止めるさしとめるNeutralTo order someone to stop or forbid something, often in legal contexts. 「留める」 is written-style and descriptive.
- Synonymせき止めるせきとめるNeutralTo dam up water or block things; figuratively, to stem something. 「留める」 focuses on holding things in place or keeping the status quo.
- Related防止ぼうしNeutralPrevention — stopping something before it happens. 「留める」 centers on holding something in place or keeping it within a certain range.
- Related断つたつNeutralTo sever or give up, as in 「酒を断つ」. 「留める」 instead means holding something in place or keeping the status quo.
- Related中止ちゅうしNeutralA noun for calling off or discontinuing an activity. 「留める」 focuses on holding something in place or limiting it.
- Related打ち切るうちきるNeutralTo discontinue something partway through, e.g. a TV show being axed. 「留める」 instead means holding or keeping something, or limiting its scope.
- Related断ち切るたちきるNeutralTo cut through things or sever ties and relationships. 「留める」 instead means holding things in place and keeping them.
- Related終えるおえるNeutralTo finish or complete something, bringing it to an end. 「留める」 instead means making something stay put or keeping it as it is.
- RelatedよすCasualColloquial: to quit or stop doing something, as in 「よしなさい」. 「留める」 is more written-style.
- Related打ち切りうちきりNeutralA noun for discontinuation or cancellation. 「留める」 focuses on holding something in place or limiting it.
- Related押さえるおさえるNeutralTo press something down or keep it under control. 「留める」 focuses on holding something in place or limiting its scope.
- Related中断ちゅうだんNeutralA noun for an interruption — something ongoing breaking off midway. 「留める」 focuses on holding or limiting.
- Related阻むはばむWrittenWritten/formal prose: to block someone's way, as in 「行く手を阻む」. 「留める」 can also hold someone back, but with a milder tone.
- Related阻害そがいWrittenWritten/formal prose: to obstruct or hinder, causing harm. 「留める」 instead means keeping or limiting something.
- RelatedしまうNeutralTo put things away or close up, as in 「店を仕舞う」. 「留める」 instead means holding something in place or keeping it.
- Related解消かいしょうNeutralTo dissolve or do away with a relationship, arrangement, or problem — unlike 「留める」, which keeps things.
- Related取りやめるとりやめるNeutralTo cancel or call off a planned event. 「留める」 instead means holding something in place, keeping it, or limiting it.
- Related廃するはいするWrittenWritten/formal prose: to abolish a law or system. 「留める」 instead means keeping something or confining it within limits.
- Related廃すはいすWrittenA shorter form of 「廃する」, meaning to abolish — unlike 「留める」, which keeps things.
- Antonym放すはなすNeutralAntonym: to let go or set free, the opposite of 「留める」 holding something in place.
- AntonymとくNeutralAntonym: to untie or undo, releasing what 「留める」 holds in or restrains.
When read とどめる, 「留める」 means holding something so it cannot leave, keeping the status quo, or limiting scope, as in 「記憶に留める」 and 「最小限に留める」. To stop a machine or the like, say 「止める」; to cancel, 「中止」; to let go, 「放す」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
