慰める|なぐさめるnagusameru[4]nakadaka (mid-high)

JLPT N2approx.Common
Definitions
  1. ichidan verb, transitive verbto comfort; to console; to amuse
Conjugation
Dictionary form慰める(なぐさめる)
Polite (masu)慰めます(なぐさめます)
Negative (nai)慰めない(なぐさめない)
polite (masen)慰めません(なぐさめません)
classical zu / nu慰めず・慰めぬ(なぐさめず・なぐさめぬ)
Past (ta)慰めた(なぐさめた)
polite (mashita)慰めました(なぐさめました)
Past negative (nakatta)慰めなかった(なぐさめなかった)
polite (masen deshita)慰めませんでした(なぐさめませんでした)
Te form慰めて(なぐさめて)
Potential慰められる(なぐさめられる)
Passive慰められる(なぐさめられる)
Causative慰めさせる(なぐさめさせる)
Causative passive慰めさせられる(なぐさめさせられる)
Conditional (ba)慰めれば(なぐさめれば)
tara慰めたら(なぐさめたら)
Volitional慰めよう(なぐさめよう)
polite (mashou)慰めましょう(なぐさめましょう)
Imperative慰めろ(なぐさめろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym慰謝いしゃWrittenWritten noun for consolation; most familiar from 「慰謝料」. To comfort someone in everyday speech, use the verb 「慰める」.
  • Synonym慰安いあんWrittenWritten word for solace and recreation; mostly a noun, also 「慰安する」, as in 「慰安旅行」. 「慰める」 is the everyday verb.
  • Synonym慰撫いぶWrittenWritten, solemn word for pacifying someone and setting their mind at ease. For everyday comforting of a person, use 「慰める」.
  • RelatedなだめるNeutralCalms the other person's anger or crying, as in 「泣く子をなだめる」; 「慰める」 is about consoling sadness.
  • RelatedいたわるNeutralShows considerate care for the weak or for people who have worked hard, as in 「老人をいたわる」; 「慰める」 consoles sadness.
  • Related和めるなごめるWrittenLess common, written word for making a mood or atmosphere calm and peaceful; 「慰める」 lightens the other person's sadness.
  • Related慰むなぐさむWrittenMostly intransitive: to feel comforted or cheered; it can also mean trifling with something. 「慰める」 is transitive: actively comforting someone, oneself included.
  • Related力づけるちからづけるNeutralEncourages someone and lifts their spirits, giving them courage; 「慰める」 is about consoling sadness.
  • AntonymいじめるNeutralAntonym in the treatment of others: bullying or tormenting the weak, where 「慰める」 would comfort them.

Use 「慰める」 to comfort someone who is sad or discouraged. For calming anger or crying, choose 「宥める」; for cheering someone on, 「力づける」; for considerate care of the weak or weary, 「労る」. The antonym is 「苛める」, to bully or torment. The remaining words are written-style: 「慰謝」「慰撫」「和める」「慰安」「慰む」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 悲かなしんでいる人ひとにやさしい言葉ことばをかけるなどして悲かなしみを軽かるくする。
  2. 一時的いちじてきに悲かなしみなどを紛まぎらせる。慰藉いしゃを与あたえる。
  3. 労ろうをねぎらう。
  4. 宥なだめる。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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