やめて
The English phrase "just stop" can be translated into Japanese as やめて.
While the root meaning can involve quitting a habit or resigning, as a direct command, it functions as a way to say "stop what you are doing right now."
Which one should you use?
While やめて functions as a casual way to say "Stop it," adding the particle よ to the end to create やめてよ adds emotional emphasis, which often expresses annoyance, frustration or a plea. For a more forceful and direct command closer to "Cut it out" or "Knock it off," you can use やめろ.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
やめて is an informal way to say "Stop it." To make the request more polite and suitable for strangers or superiors, you can add ください to the end to form やめてください, which translates to "Please stop." In formal contexts, to express "Please stop immediately," you can use 中止してください.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form やめて is the te-form of the verb やめる (to stop/quit), used here as a casual imperative to tell someone to stop an action.
Did you know?
- The verb やめる is distinct from とまる, which also means 'stop'. While やめる is for stopping an activity, とまる is for a physical object like a car coming to a halt.
- In romantic comedies or anime, やめて is frequently used to mean 'stop' while the speaker is actually enjoying the situation, creating a playful or flirtatious tension.
- The verb やめる can mean 'to stop' or 'to quit' a job, but it can also mean 'to decide' on a specific option, such as choosing one item from a menu.
Examples in context
- やめて。もぉ、やめてよ。Stop. Just stop.Tatoeba #10481816 by small_snow, translation #9165631 by DJ_Saidez
- 本当に、陰湿なことはやめて欲しい。Just stop with the mean-spirited stuff.Tatoeba #10628781 by small_snow, translation #10629675 by verdantyuu
- ちょっと、こういう時にだけしゃしゃり出るのはやめてよ。Please just stop coming uninvited for the time being.Tatoeba #10557024 by small_snow, translation #12614603 by urro
- ちょっと、やめて！冗談ではなくなってきたよ。Hey, stop it! It's no longer a joke.
Example conversation
Kenta is teasing Yui about a silly mistake.
- 結衣 Yuiもう、やめてよ。mou, yamete yo.Geez, just stop it.
- 健太 Kentaそんなに怒らないでよ。sonnani okoranaide yo.Don't get so angry.
- 結衣 Yui本当に、やめて。hontou ni, yamete.Really, just stop.
- 健太 Kentaわかった、ごめん。wakatta, gomen.Okay, sorry.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
