How to say "freeze" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 固めるかためるichidan verb, transitive verbCovers the harden/solidify/strengthen senses first; 'to freeze' is only one of its glosses, so it is seldom the word you want for 'freeze' in the temperature sense — reach for it when you mean hardening something.
- 凍るこおるgodan verb, intransitive verbThe intransitive verb for things freezing: water, roads or lakes freeze over in the cold. Use this when something becomes frozen on its own, not when someone actively freezes it.
- 凍えるこごえるichidan verb, intransitive verbFreezing of one's own body: to be chilled numb with cold. Use it when a person freezes, shivering in bitter wind or snow, rather than for objects freezing.
- 凍らすこおらすgodan verb, transitive verbThe transitive counterpart: to freeze something, and also simply to refrigerate it. Use it when a person makes something freeze, such as chilling or freezing food and drink.
- 引きつるひきつるgodan verb, intransitive verbA figurative 'freeze' of a face or expression stiffening, or a voice growing tight, as from nervousness or an awkward moment. For a literal frozen face from cold, 凍える fits better.
Use 「凍る」 for water or things freezing naturally, 「凍らす」 to freeze something on purpose, 「凍える」 for your body freezing, 「固める」 mainly for hardening or solidifying, and 「引きつる」 for a face or voice 'freezing'.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 固めるかためるto harden
- 凍るこおるto freeze
- 凍えるこごえるto freeze (of one's body)
- 凍らすこおらすto freeze
- 凝らすこごらすto freeze
- 凍てるいてるto freeze
- すくむto freeze (from fear, etc.)
- 凍りつくこおりつくto freeze (to something)
- 凍てつくいてつくto freeze
- 縮み上がるちぢみあがるto freeze (in fear, surprise, etc.)
- 凝らせるこごらせるto freeze
- 凍みるしみるto freeze
- 足がすくむあしがすくむto freeze (from fear)
- ハングアップhang
- こごるto congeal
- 引きつるひきつるto stiffen (of a face, expression)
- ハングhang
- しばれるto freeze
- 固まるかたまるto freeze
See also
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