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.
I quit smoking.
He stopped talking.
Means to cancel or suspend an event, plan, or activity. Often used for formal or organized activities.
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.
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.
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.
Used in official, legal, or formal contexts to indicate that something is stopped by authority or agreement.
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.
He stopped crying (voluntarily).
The rain stopped (naturally).
Using やめる for things like rain or wind stopping sounds unnatural. Use 止む instead.
The company ceased trading.
The war ended.
連絡が途絶えた。
Contact ceased.
Hope ceased.