What does it mean word for word?
The word やめて is the te-form of the verb yameru, which means to stop or to cease.
Which one should you use?
Using やめて on its own is a simple, casual way to say stop. Adding よ to create それをやめてよ results in a slightly more assertive expression that carries a friendly yet authoritative tone. If you want to express irritation or annoyance, you can say もうやめて, which means "just stop it already".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of politeness varies significantly: * Informal: やめて is used among friends or family. それをやめてよ is also informal but more assertive. もうやめて is used when you are annoyed. * Polite: やめてください is a polite yet straightforward way to ask someone to stop. You can also use それをやめてください to turn the request into a polite command. それをおやめください is a slightly more formal variation of this. * High Formality/Business: ご遠慮ください conveys respect and is useful in business settings or when addressing someone older or of higher social status. * Rough: やめろ is a much harsher, more forceful and rough imperative form used to command someone to stop.
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the casual command into a polite request, you can add ください to the end, resulting in それをやめてください.
How do you pronounce it?
sore o yamete
Did you know?
- The word やめる (yameru) is often confused with 止める (tomeru), which also means 'to stop', but tomeru is used for physical objects like cars or machines rather than human actions or habits.
- The formal alternative ご遠慮ください literally translates to 'please exercise restraint', shifting the focus from the action itself to the other person's self-control.
- In Japanese pop culture, especially anime, you will often hear the phrase やめて shouted in high-pitched tones to express desperation, which transforms the polite request into a dramatic plea for mercy.
Examples in context
- それをやめて、仕事に戻って。Stop doing that, and get back to work.This example shows how to use それをやめて to tell someone to return to their work.Tatoeba #10070784 by h_aibe, translation #10070688 by CK
- それをやめて、宿題をやって。Stop doing that, and do your homework.This example shows how to use それをやめて to tell someone to do their homework.Tatoeba #10070788 by h_aibe, translation #10070686 by CK
- お客様、それをおやめくださいCustomer, please stop doing that.
- もうやめて！Just stop it already!
- テスト中は携帯の使用をご遠慮くださいPlease refrain from using your mobile phones during the test.
- やめてよ！Stop it, seriously!
- それをやめて、静かにして。Sore o yamete, shizuka ni shite.Stop doing that and be quiet.
Example conversation
A brother and sister are in the living room.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔、それをやめて！Hiroto, sore o yamete!Hiroto, stop doing that!
- 大翔 Hirotoえー、何で？Ee, nande?Eh, why?
- 陽葵 Himariうるさいんだもん。Urusai ndamon.Because you're being noisy.
- 大翔 Hirotoわかったよ。Wakatta yo.Alright, I got it.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
