励ます|はげますhagemasu[3]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto encourage; to cheer on; to cheer (someone) up
- godan verb, transitive verbto raise (one's voice)
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 励ます（はげます） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 励まします（はげまします） |
| Negative (nai) | 励まさない（はげまさない） |
| polite (masen) | 励ましません（はげましません） |
| classical zu / nu | 励まさず・励まさぬ（はげまさず・はげまさぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 励ました（はげました） |
| polite (mashita) | 励ましました（はげましました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 励まさなかった（はげまさなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 励ましませんでした（はげましませんでした） |
| Te form | 励まして（はげまして） |
| Potential | 励ませる（はげませる） |
| Passive | 励まされる（はげまされる） |
| Causative | 励まさせる（はげまさせる） |
| Causative passive | 励まさせられる（はげまさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 励ませば（はげませば） |
| tara | 励ましたら（はげましたら） |
| Volitional | 励まそう（はげまそう） |
| polite (mashou) | 励ましましょう（はげましましょう） |
| Imperative | 励ませ（はげませ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym激励げきれいNeutralNoun (also する verb) for encouraging, as in 「選手を激励する」「激励会」; rather formal, often used for groups.
- Synonym鼓舞こぶNeutralNoun (also する verb) meaning to rouse or inspire, as in 「士気を鼓舞する」; leans written and is used mostly of morale.
- Synonym力づけるちからづけるNeutralGives someone strength or support, as in 「友人の言葉に力づけられる」; 「励ます」 is the most general term, centred on cheering someone on.
- Synonym勇気づけるゆうきづけるNeutralGives someone courage, as in 「彼の成功に勇気づけられる」; the focus is on making them ready to face what lies ahead.
- Synonym元気づけるげんきづけるNeutralPeps someone up, as in 「落ち込んだ友を元気づける」; common in everyday speech.
- Related応援おうえんNeutralNoun for cheering or backing someone, as in 「チームを応援する」; the nuance is standing on their side, not just lifting their spirits.
- Related後押しあとおしNeutralNoun for backing or a push from behind, as in 「決断の後押し」; stresses supporting someone's decision rather than cheering them up.
- Related奮い起こすふるいおこすNeutralMusters up courage or fighting spirit, as in 「勇気を奮い起こす」; works for oneself or others, stressing what is stirred up from within.
- Related鼓吹こすいWrittenWritten noun for advocating or propagating ideas, as in 「思想を鼓吹する」; often carries a promotional, propaganda-like nuance.
- Related振起しんきWrittenWritten word for rousing or invigorating, as in 「士気を振起する」; rare, seen only in formal prose.
- AntonymくじくNeutralDampens or crushes someone's spirit, as in 「出鼻を挫く」; the direct opposite of 「励ます」.
- Antonym落胆させるNeutralMakes someone lose heart or feel let down; the opposite of the cheering-on that 「励ます」 does.
「励ます」 is the default for cheering up someone who is down or cheering on someone making an effort or facing a challenge. For groups or formal occasions use 「激励」, for morale 「鼓舞」, and for rooting for a side 「応援」. The opposite is 「挫く」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
