戒める・誡める・警める|いましめるimashimeru[4]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
戒める戒める（いましめる） is the most common written form and the usual choice for learners. It is the form you are most likely to encounter.
誡める誡める（いましめる） is a rarely used written variant. You will seldom encounter it, so choose 戒める（いましめる） instead.
警める警める（いましめる） is a rarely used written variant. You will seldom encounter it, so choose 戒める（いましめる） instead.
Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto warn against; to caution against
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto admonish; to scold; to rebuke
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto prohibit; to forbid; to ban
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto be cautious
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto detest; to loathe
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto punish
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 戒める（いましめる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 戒めます（いましめます） |
| Negative (nai) | 戒めない（いましめない） |
| polite (masen) | 戒めません（いましめません） |
| classical zu / nu | 戒めず・戒めぬ（いましめず・いましめぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 戒めた（いましめた） |
| polite (mashita) | 戒めました（いましめました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 戒めなかった（いましめなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 戒めませんでした（いましめませんでした） |
| Te form | 戒めて（いましめて） |
| Potential | 戒められる（いましめられる） |
| Passive | 戒められる（いましめられる） |
| Causative | 戒めさせる（いましめさせる） |
| Causative passive | 戒めさせられる（いましめさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 戒めれば（いましめれば） |
| tara | 戒めたら（いましめたら） |
| Volitional | 戒めよう（いましめよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 戒めましょう（いましめましょう） |
| Imperative | 戒めろ（いましめろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym警告けいこくNeutralNeutral. Warns of danger or consequences in advance; broader, often official. 「戒める」 stresses admonishing against wrongdoing and can be used on oneself.
- Synonym戒告かいこくWrittenWritten/formal prose. A noun for formal admonition; also a disciplinary penalty for civil servants and the like. 「戒める」 is an ordinary verb.
- Synonym訓戒くんかいWrittenWritten/formal prose. Teaching and admonishing, typically from a senior to a junior or in a lecture. 「戒める」 can also mean restraining oneself.
- Synonym忠告ちゅうこくNeutralNeutral. Well-meant advice to correct or be careful, common even between equals, as in 「友人に忠告する」. 「戒める」 leans toward written prose and can target oneself.
- Synonym諭すさとすNeutralNeutral. Patiently guiding a junior until they understand, in a gentle tone. 「戒める」 centers on warning someone not to do wrong.
- Synonym注意ちゅういNeutralNeutral. The everyday standby for reminders and warnings; lighter than 「戒める」 and usually as 「注意する」.
- Synonym諌めるいさめるNeutralNeutral. Remonstrating, usually a subordinate pointing out a superior's faults. 「戒める」 has no such hierarchy restriction and can be used on oneself.
- Related言い聞かせるいいきかせるNeutralNeutral. Repeating things to someone until they understand; also used to talk oneself into something. More colloquial than 「戒める」.
- Related訓告くんこくWrittenWritten/formal prose. Official term for a reprimand penalty, heavier than a verbal 「注意」 and lighter than 「戒告」. 「戒める」 is not a penalty name.
- Related警醒けいせいWrittenWritten/formal prose and rare. Rousing people to vigilance, often society at large; in daily speech say 「注意を促す」.
- Antonym勧めるすすめるNeutralNeutral. Urging someone to do something or recommending something — the opposite direction from 「戒める」, which warns against doing.
For everyday reminders not to make a mistake, use 「注意する」. For solemn admonition or self-restraint, use 「戒める」, as in 「自らを戒める」. To remonstrate with a superior, 「諌める」; to guide a junior, 「諭す」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
