141
止
Stop
と(まる) (tomaru), と(める) (tomeru)
JLPT N4
Interesting Fact
Thousands of years ago, 止 didn't look abstract at all—it was drawn as the outline of a human foot. 👣 Ancient people used this picture to show a foot that had stopped walking. Over centuries, the drawing became more stylized, but the meaning stayed the same. That's why 止 still means "stop" today. It's one of the few kanji whose modern shape still hints at its ancient picture.
Memory Trick
Two poles stop a speeding bullet. That's 止.
Readings
Onyomi: シ (shi)
Kunyomi: と(まる) (tomaru), と(める) (tomeru)
Example Words
止まる
とまる (tomaru)
To stop
止める
とめる (tomeru)
To stop something
中止
ちゅうし (chuushi)
Cancellation
停止
ていし (teishi)
Suspension, stop
Example Sentence
ここで 車を 止めてください。
ここで くるまを とめてください。
koko de kuruma o tomete kudasai
Please stop the car here.