🇯🇵 Japanese phrases

How to Say "Stop" in Japanese

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
止まれ
"Stop" in Japanese · say it like toh-ma-reh

The most natural way to say "Stop" in Japanese is 止まれ. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

やめて
used when asking someone to stop doing something
停止して
more formal, often used in written instructions

When to use it

Use '止まれ' when you want to tell someone to stop moving or to halt an action. It is often used in commands, such as in traffic signs. 'やめて' is more casual and used in everyday conversations.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Stop" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Japanese

JapaneseEnglish
止まれ!Stop!
Common mistake
Learners often confuse '止まれ' with 'やめて', but '止まれ' is for stopping movement, while 'やめて' is for stopping an action.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear 止まれ, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Japanese with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

When should I use '止まれ'?

'止まれ' is used in situations where you need to command someone to stop, like in traffic or emergencies.

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