Translation guide
To stop doing something or to come to an end. In Japanese, the most natural way to express this depends on whether the action is voluntary or involuntary, and whether it is a temporary or permanent stop.
The subject intentionally stops an ongoing action.
Use the te-form of a verb plus やめる to mean 'stop doing something'. This is the most common and natural way to express voluntarily ceasing an action.
タバコを吸うのをやめた。
I quit smoking.
彼は話すのをやめた。
He stopped talking.
Means to cancel or suspend an event, plan, or activity. Often used for formal or organized activities.
雨のため試合は中止になった。
The game was canceled due to rain.
To cut off or abstain from something, often used for habits or addictions. Stronger and more literary than やめる.
酒を断つ。
To give up alcohol.
Something stops or ends on its own, without a person's direct will.
Used for natural phenomena like rain, wind, or noise stopping. Implies a natural cessation.
General word for 'to end'. Can be used for events, periods, or actions. Intransitive.
戦争が終わった。
The war ended.
To be interrupted or cut off, often for communication, supply, or a line of people. Implies a break in continuity.
Something stops existing or being the case.
Means 'to disappear' or 'to be gone'. Commonly used for things that cease to exist.
その習慣はなくなった。
That custom has ceased to exist.
To vanish or disappear. Can be used for physical objects or abstract things.
希望が消えた。
Hope ceased.
Used in official, legal, or formal contexts to indicate that something is stopped by authority or agreement.
To suspend or halt. Used for services, operations, or legal actions.
営業を停止する。
To cease operations.
To abolish or discontinue a system, law, or practice.
その法律は廃止された。
The law was abolished.
やめる is transitive and used when someone intentionally stops an action. 止む is intransitive and used for natural phenomena stopping on their own.
彼は泣くのをやめた。
He stopped crying (voluntarily).
雨がやんだ。
The rain stopped (naturally).
Using やめる for things like rain or wind stopping sounds unnatural. Use 止む instead.
その会社は営業を停止した。
The company ceased trading.
連絡が途絶えた。
Contact ceased.