How to say "straighten" in Japanese

• 直すなおすJLPT N4approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbIts core sense is repairing, mending and correcting, so for 'straighten' it fits the narrow case of straightening something that has slipped out of place, such as a tie.
  いまそれを直なおそうったって無駄むだだ。↗

  It's no use trying to fix it now.
• 整えるととのえるJLPT N1approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbCovers straightening as putting things in order: arranging or tidying something, one's appearance for example, into a neat state rather than repairing what is broken.
  私の姉あねは毎週まいしゅう、髪かみを整ととのえてもらう。↗

  My sister has her hair done each week.
• 正すただすCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbThe word for straightening one's posture or collar: adjusting your own body or clothing into proper alignment, as when you sit up straight or neaten a collar.

Use 「直す」 when straightening means fixing something crooked such as a tie, 「整える」 when it means tidying or arranging things into order, and 「正す」 for straightening one's posture or collar.

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

• 直すなおすto repair
• 整えるととのえるto put in order
• 矯めるためるto straighten
• 皺を伸ばすしわをのばすto smooth out
• 正すただすto straighten (one's posture, collar, etc.)
• 伸ばすのばすto straighten