待つ vs 留まる
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 待つ
Listen to 留まる
| 待つ | 留まる |
|---|---|
MA-tsu verb | とどまる verb |
| to wait; to stay in a place or delay an action until something happens | to remain; to stay in one place instead of leaving |
How they differ
留まる focuses on staying put or remaining somewhere, not on expecting something to happen. 待つ specifically means holding back until a person, event, or result arrives.
When to use each
When to use 待つ: Use 待つ when the main idea is waiting for someone or something to happen.
When to use 留まる: Use 留まる when the main idea is not leaving or remaining in a place, especially in written or descriptive contexts.
Side-by-side examples
- 駅で電車を待つ。
(I’m waiting for the train at the station.) - 彼はその町に留まることにした。
(He decided to remain in that town.)
Register & nuance: 留まる is more literary or formal than 待つ and is less often used for everyday waiting.