GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜にとどまる
Indicates that a change or effect remains within a particular level without spreading further.
Examples
今回の変更は名称の修正にとどまる。
This change is limited to a revision of the name.
Words used
被害は一部の地域にとどまった。
The damage was confined to part of the region.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure:
にとどまるafter a range or level indicates that something does not extend beyond that boundary. - Basic usage:
今回の変更は名称の修正にとどまる。limits the scope of this change to revising the name.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Range of damage versus its severity
被害は一部の地域にとどまったconfines the damage to certain areas. It does not determine that the damage within those areas was slight.
- The negative extends the scope
名称の修正にとどまらないsays that changes extend beyond revising the name. While the affirmative confines the scope, the negative takes it beyond that boundary.