弱める|よわめるyowameru[3]nakadaka (mid-high)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto weaken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.
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 弱める（よわめる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 弱めます（よわめます） |
| Negative (nai) | 弱めない（よわめない） |
| polite (masen) | 弱めません（よわめません） |
| classical zu / nu | 弱めず・弱めぬ（よわめず・よわめぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 弱めた（よわめた） |
| polite (mashita) | 弱めました（よわめました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 弱めなかった（よわめなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 弱めませんでした（よわめませんでした） |
| Te form | 弱めて（よわめて） |
| Potential | 弱められる（よわめられる） |
| Passive | 弱められる（よわめられる） |
| Causative | 弱めさせる（よわめさせる） |
| Causative passive | 弱めさせられる（よわめさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 弱めれば（よわめれば） |
| tara | 弱めたら（よわめたら） |
| Volitional | 弱めよう（よわめよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 弱めましょう（よわめましょう） |
| Imperative | 弱めろ（よわめろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
風が弱まる
彼が力を弱める
弱まる focuses on the event or resulting state, as in 風が弱まる; 弱める foregrounds the agent acting on something, as in 彼が力を弱める.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym和らげるやわらげるNeutralSoftens or eases something unpleasant — pain, tension, the mood; 「弱める」 is about reducing the strength or intensity of something.
- Synonym弱体化じゃくたいかNeutralA noun for an organization or system losing strength, as in 「チームの弱体化」; 「弱める」 is for actively weakening something.
- Related鈍らすにぶらすNeutralMakes something dull or sluggish — a blade, or faculties like judgment, as in 「判断を鈍らす」; 「弱める」 focuses on lowering intensity.
- Related緩めるゆるめるNeutralLoosens or relaxes something — a grip, guard, or rules; 「弱める」 is about reducing the strength or intensity of something.
- Related損なうそこなうNeutralHarms or spoils something valuable such as health or reputation, as in 「健康を損なう」; 「弱める」 focuses on reducing intensity.
- RelatedそぐNeutralDampens drive or interest, as in 「意欲を削ぐ」; 「弱める」 is about reducing the intensity or strength of something.
- Related弱化じゃっかWrittenWritten/formal prose for weakening or growing weaker; 「弱める」 is the more colloquial choice.
- Antonym強めるつよめるNeutralAntonym: makes something stronger or more intense, the opposite of 「弱める」 on the strong–weak scale.
To reduce the strength or intensity of something — fire, force, light — use 「弱める」, as in 「火を弱める」. For a weakened organization use 「弱体化」; dampened motivation 「削ぐ」; relaxing rules or effort 「緩める」; easing pain 「和らげる」. The antonym is 「強める」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
- 弱くする。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
