固める・堅める|かためるkatameru[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
固める固める is the more common spelling of this verb and the form beginners should use.
堅める堅める is a less common written variant of 固める, using an irregular kanji; learners should generally choose 固める instead.
Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto harden; to freeze; to strengthen; to solidify; to make (a fist); to tramp down (snow, dirt)
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto put together; to collect; to gather; to consolidate
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto make secure; to stabilize; to settle down; to strengthen (belief, resolution, etc.); to establish (evidence)
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto fortify; to reinforce; to support
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto wear for a specific purpose (armor, coat, etc.)in the form に身をかためる
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto swear; to resolutely vow; to sincerely promise
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto tie tightly; to fasten
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto hold a bow fully drawn
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 固める（かためる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 固めます（かためます） |
| Negative (nai) | 固めない（かためない） |
| polite (masen) | 固めません（かためません） |
| classical zu / nu | 固めず・固めぬ（かためず・かためぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 固めた（かためた） |
| polite (mashita) | 固めました（かためました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 固めなかった（かためなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 固めませんでした（かためませんでした） |
| Te form | 固めて（かためて） |
| Potential | 固められる（かためられる） |
| Passive | 固められる（かためられる） |
| Causative | 固めさせる（かためさせる） |
| Causative passive | 固めさせられる（かためさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 固めれば（かためれば） |
| tara | 固めたら（かためたら） |
| Volitional | 固めよう（かためよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 固めましょう（かためましょう） |
| Imperative | 固めろ（かためろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
ゼリーを固める
固まる describes something solidifying or setting on its own, while 固める describes an agent causing it to solidify.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym硬化させるWrittenWritten, explanatory term for making something hard, mainly in chemistry and medicine (「樹脂を硬化させる」); also used of an attitude hardening (「態度を硬化させる」).
- Synonym固化させるWrittenWritten, explanatory term for making something solid, used mainly in chemistry and industry; unlike 「固める」, it does not cover strengthening one's resolve.
- Antonym緩めるゆるめるNeutralNeutral antonym: to loosen, relax or ease something (attention, rules, restrictions), the opposite of making it firm with 「固める」.
- Antonym崩すくずすNeutralNeutral antonym: to break up, demolish or throw into disorder something whole or solid, undoing the firmness 「固める」 creates.
Use 「固める」 to make something hard or firm, or to strengthen resolve or defenses (「決意を固める」「守りを固める」). For hardening in chemistry or medicine, 「硬化させる」; for solidifying in chemistry or industry, 「固化させる」. Opposites: 「緩める」, 「崩す」.
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
