止: the kanji for stop
止 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means stop. Below are its readings, 10 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
止 is written in 4 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
止 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 10 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
シ (shi)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 中止ちゅうし · chūshi | cancellation |
| 禁止きんし · kinshi | prohibition |
| 防止ぼうし · bōshi | prevention |
| 停止ていし · teishi | stop; suspension |
| 休止きゅうし · kyūshi | pause |
| 廃止はいし · haishi | abolition |
とまる (tomaru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 止まるとまる · tomaru | to stop |
| 行き止まりいきどまり · ikidomari | dead end |
とめる (tomeru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 止めるとめる · tomeru | to stop (something) |
| 歯止めはどめ · hadome | brake; check |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 雨のため、イベントは中止になりました。Ame no tame, ibento wa chūshi ni narimashita.The event was canceled because of rain.
- ここは駐車禁止です。Koko wa chūsha kinshi desu.No parking here.
- 事故で電車が止まっています。Jiko de densha ga tomatte imasu.Trains are stopped because of an accident.
- エンジンを止めてください。Enjin o tomete kudasai.Please turn off the engine.
- 情報漏れを防止する対策をとりました。Jōhō more o bōshi suru taisaku o torimashita.We took measures to prevent information leaks.
- この道は行き止まりです。Kono michi wa ikidomari desu.This road is a dead end.
Questions about 止
How many strokes does 止 have?
止 is written in 4 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 止?
The on readings are shi (シ). The kun readings are tomaru (とまる), tomeru (とめる).
Is 止める read tomeru or yameru?
Both readings exist. とめる (tomeru) means to stop something moving, like a car or machine. やめる (yameru) means to quit doing something, and it is usually written 辞める or やめる.
What JLPT level is 止?
N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
Movement and actions
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 止
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.