時間を止める
jikan o tomeru
To stop time in Japanese is 時間を止める (jikan o tomeru).
This phrase is used to describe causing the progression of time to cease, a concept frequently found in science fiction or fantasy contexts.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of 時間 (jikan), meaning 'time', the object marker particle を (o) and the verb 止める (tomeru), which means 'to stop' or 'to halt' something.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle を marks 時間 as the direct object of the verb.
How do you pronounce it?
jikan o tomeru
Did you know?
- Japanese has a specific word 刹那 (setsuna) for an 'instant' or 'moment' so brief that it is almost as if time has stopped, derived from the Sanskrit word for a mustard seed.
- In Japanese pop culture, such as in anime, a character might shout 時よ止まれ! (Toki yo tomare!) to command time to stop. This uses an archaic, poetic way of addressing time as if it were a living being.
- The kanji for 'time' 時 is composed of a 'sun' radical and a phonetic component, reflecting the ancient way of measuring time by the position of the sun.
Examples in context
- 魔法で時間を止める。Mahou de jikan o tomeru.Stop time with magic.
- もし時間を止めることができたら？Moshi jikan o tomeru koto ga dekitara?What if you could stop time?
- 物語の中で、彼は時間を止める。Monogatari no naka de, kare wa jikan o tomeru.In the story, he stops time.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a new video game.
- 陽葵 Himariこのゲームの必殺技は何？Kono geemu no hissatsu waza wa nani?What is the special move in this game?
- 健太 Kenta時間を止める技だよ。Jikan o tomeru waza dayo.It is a move that stops time.
- 陽葵 Himariそれは強そう！Sore wa tsuyosou!That sounds powerful!
- 健太 Kenta陽葵、やってみる？Himari, yatte miru?Himari, do you want to try it?
