Japanese symbol for “cease”
止む
やむ
Romaji: yamu
to cease; to stop; to be over
In Japanese, cease is 止む, read やむ (yamu).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- v5m, vi to cease; to stop; to be over
Written forms: 止む、已む、罷む、熄む. Readings: やむ.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “cease”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 死ぬ | しぬ shinu | to cease; to stop |
| 止まる | やまる yamaru | to cease; to stop; to be over |
| 途絶える | とだえる todaeru | to stop; to cease; to come to an end |
| 止まる | とまる tomaru | to stop (doing, working, being supplied); to come to a halt; to cease |
| 止める | やめる yameru | to stop (an activity); to cease; to discontinue |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 禁止 | きんし kinshi | prohibition; inhibition; ban |
| 停止 | ていし teishi | stoppage; coming to a stop; halt |
| 中止 | ちゅうし chuushi | interruption; discontinuance; suspension |
| 止まる | とまる tomaru | to stop (moving); to come to a stop |
| 防止 | ぼうし boushi | prevention; check |
| 廃止 | はいし haishi | abolition; discontinuance; discontinuation |
See also: Chinese symbol for “cease”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.