阻む・沮む|はばむhabamu[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Which spelling to use
阻む阻む is the more common written form and the recommended default for beginners; it combines kanji with kana.
沮む沮む is a less common written variant, also combining kanji with kana; beginners should generally choose 阻む instead.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto keep someone from doing; to stop; to prevent; to check; to hinder; to obstruct; to oppose; to thwart
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 阻む（はばむ） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 阻みます（はばみます） |
| Negative (nai) | 阻まない（はばまない） |
| polite (masen) | 阻みません（はばみません） |
| classical zu / nu | 阻まず・阻まぬ（はばまず・はばまぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 阻んだ（はばんだ） |
| polite (mashita) | 阻みました（はばみました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 阻まなかった（はばまなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 阻みませんでした（はばみませんでした） |
| Te form | 阻んで（はばんで） |
| Potential | 阻める（はばめる） |
| Passive | 阻まれる（はばまれる） |
| Causative | 阻ませる（はばませる） |
| Causative passive | 阻ませられる・阻まされる（はばませられる・はばまされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 阻めば（はばめば） |
| tara | 阻んだら（はばんだら） |
| Volitional | 阻もう（はばもう） |
| polite (mashou) | 阻みましょう（はばみましょう） |
| Imperative | 阻め（はばめ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym阻止そしNeutralA noun (also takes する) for stopping something from happening; fairly formal. 「阻む」 is a verb with the image of standing in the way.
- Synonym妨げるさまたげるNeutralTo hinder something so it does not go smoothly; the stress is on interference. 「阻む」 stresses barring the way and stopping advance.
- Synonym封じるふうじるNeutralTo seal something shut or forbid it, e.g. shutting down an opponent. 「阻む」 centers on holding back forward movement.
- Synonym食い止めるくいとめるNeutralTo check the spread of something bad, as in 「被害を食い止める」. 「阻む」 focuses on blocking the way.
- Synonym立ちはだかるたちはだかるNeutralTo stand blocking the way, also figuratively of difficulties lying in the path. 「阻む」 is more written and abstract.
- Synonym遮るさえぎるNeutralTo block a view or light, or to interrupt someone speaking. 「阻む」 focuses on stopping forward movement.
- Synonym止めるとめるNeutralThe most common everyday word for making something stop. 「阻む」 is more written.
- Synonym障るさわるNeutralTo be harmful, e.g. to health, or to get in the way of something. 「阻む」 centers on blocking movement.
- Synonym阻害そがいWrittenA written-style noun for obstructing development or hindering with harm. 「阻む」 is a verb focused on blocking.
- Synonym押しとどめるおしとどめるNeutralPhysically pressing to hold someone back, or checking an impulse or a crowd. 「阻む」 is more written and centers on barring the way or obstructing progress.
- Synonym封ずるふうずるWrittenA ずる-style variant of 「封じる」 with a stiffer, more written feel. 「阻む」 centers on barring forward movement.
- Synonym差し止めるさしとめるNeutralTo order a halt or prohibit an action, often in legal contexts. 「阻む」 centers on blocking the way.
- Synonymせき止めるせきとめるNeutralTo dam up water; by extension, to hold back or stem a flow or activity. 「阻む」 focuses on barring the way.
- Related妨害ぼうがいNeutralA noun for obstruction or interference, as in 「営業妨害」. 「阻む」 is a verb centered on blocking progress.
- Related邪魔じゃまNeutralThe everyday word for being in the way or disturbing someone; very common in speech. 「阻む」 leans written.
- Related締め出すしめだすNeutralTo shut someone out — lock the door on them or exclude them from a group. 「阻む」 focuses on blocking progress.
- Related拒むこばむWrittenTo refuse a request or deny someone entry; written in tone. 「阻む」 centers on barring forward movement.
- Related差し支えるさしつかえるNeutralIntransitive: something turns out to be a hindrance or inconvenient. 「阻む」 is transitive and centers on blocking.
- Related遮断しゃだんNeutralA noun for cutting off traffic, power or communications, or isolating. 「阻む」 focuses on blocking the way forward.
- Related封鎖ふうさNeutralA noun for blockading roads or ports, sealing off an area. 「阻む」 focuses on barring progress.
- Related立ちふさがるたちふさがるNeutralTo stand in front of someone and block their path — a concrete, physical image. 「阻む」 is more abstract and can also cover difficulties blocking the way.
- Related邪魔立てじゃまだてNeutralDeliberately getting in someone's way to obstruct them; carries a negative nuance. 「阻む」 is more neutral.
- Related差し障るさしさわるNeutralIntransitive: something hinders a matter or adversely affects it. 「阻む」 is transitive and centers on barring the way.
- Relatedお邪魔おじゃまNeutralPolite word for getting in someone's way, best known from the visiting formula 「お邪魔します」; it is used quite differently from 「阻む」.
- Antonym促すうながすNeutralTo urge or spur something on — the direct opposite of 「阻む」, which holds things back.
Use 「阻む」 for barring someone's way or blocking progress; it leans written, as in 「行く手を阻む」 and 「優勝を阻む」. For the noun, say 「阻止」; for hindering, 「妨げる」; for blocking someone's path face to face, 「立ちふさがる」; for checking a spread, 「食い止める」; and for urging something on, the antonym 「促す」.
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
