How to say "weaken" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 弱るよわるgodan verb, intransitive verbCovers the intransitive sense of growing weak or waning, chiefly of a person's health and vitality. Use it when someone declines physically — losing strength, stamina or resilience as age or illness takes its toll.
- 弱めるよわめるichidan verb, transitive verbThe transitive counterpart of 弱る: to weaken something, sapping or reducing its strength, force or intensity. Use it when an action works on an object — weakening a grip, a hold, or someone's resolve.大きなかしわの木が風の力を弱めている。↗The big oak tree breaks the force of the wind.
- 弱まるよわまるgodan verb, intransitive verbThe intransitive counterpart of 弱める: a force, condition or feeling loses intensity on its own — wind, rain, tension or enthusiasm abating, dying down. Think of something slackening rather than someone actively weakening it.
- 鈍らすにぶらすgodan verb, transitive verbFor 'weaken' this is seldom the word you want: its core sense is to blunt or dull — taking the edge off a blade, or dulling senses, alertness or motivation.
- 薄めるうすめるichidan verb, transitive verbWeaken in the sense of toning down: to soften a statement or impression, or weaken an effect so it registers less strongly. Choose it when you want to temper impact rather than sap strength outright.
For a person or their health fading use 「弱る」; to weaken something use 「弱める」; when force or feeling dies down by itself use 「弱まる」; for blunting or dulling use 「鈍らす」; to tone down an effect or statement use 「薄める」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 弱るよわるto weaken
- 弱めるよわめるto weaken
- 弱まるよわまるto abate
- 鈍らすにぶらすto blunt
- たがが緩むたががゆるむto weaken (of willpower, solidarity, etc.)
- 弱くするよわくするto turn down (heat, sound, etc.)
- くさるto become useless
- 薄めるうすめるto soften (e.g. a statement, impression, etc.)
- 鈍るにぶるto become less capable
- 削げるそげるto weaken (e.g. of motivation, interest, etc.)
- だれるto lose value after a peak (e.g. stock)
- そぐto dampen (one's enthusiasm, interest, etc.)
See also
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