How to say "lean" in Japanese

• 偏るかたよるJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, intransitive verbCovers 'lean to one side' in the sense of imbalance or bias: a diet, opinions, or results can be one-sided. It is not used for physically leaning or tilting a body or object.
• 傾けるかたむけるJLPT N1approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbUse this for physically leaning, tipping, or tilting something — a ladder against a wall, a bottle to pour from, or your body forward. It is the verb for the physical action.
  私は君きみの言いうことには熱心ねっしんに耳みみを傾かたむけている。↗

  I am all ears to what you say.
• 傾げるかしげるCommon
  ichidan verb, transitive verbUsed above all for tilting the head, as when puzzled or doubting; its 'lean' sense is marginal. For tilting the body or an object, 傾ける is the word you want.
  彼女かのじょはちょっと首くびをかしげて、黙然もくぜんと立たっていた。↗

  She stood silently, her head tilted slightly to one side.
• 傾斜けいしゃJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbDespite matching 'lean', this is a noun for a slope or slant — of ground, a roof, or a road — not a verb for leaning; seldom the word for the action itself.
  その土地とちは川かわに向むかって緩ゆるやかに傾斜けいしゃしている。↗

  The land slopes gently toward the river.
• 曲げるまげるJLPT N2approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbIts core sense is 'to bend' — wire, your knees, or figuratively your principles. 'Lean' is only a marginal match here; for leaning or tipping something, this is rarely the right choice.

For physically leaning or tipping something use 「傾ける」, for tilting the head 「傾げる」, for figurative one-sidedness 「偏る」, for a slope or angle as a noun 傾斜, and 「曲げる」 means to bend rather than lean.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 偏るかたよるto lean (to one side)
• 傾けるかたむけるto incline
• 傾げるかしげるto tilt (esp. head)
• 傾斜けいしゃinclination
• もたれかかるto lean (on, against)
• 引き締まったひきしまったlean
• 無駄のないむだのないeconomical
• 曲げるまげるto lean
• 筋肉質きんにくしつlean (of a company's operations, etc.)
• かっちりclose-fitting (e.g. suit)