温める・暖める|あたためるatatameru[4]nakadaka (mid-high)
あっためるattameru
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Which spelling to use
温める温める is the most common written form and the recommended choice for learners when choosing a spelling.
暖める暖める is a less common written form; you may encounter it, but 温める is the safer default for learners.
Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto warm (up); to heat (up)
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto sit on (an idea, plan, etc.); to keep to oneself; to nurse; to mull over
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto renew (an old friendship)
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto take for oneself
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 温める（あたためる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 温めます（あたためます） |
| Negative (nai) | 温めない（あたためない） |
| polite (masen) | 温めません（あたためません） |
| classical zu / nu | 温めず・温めぬ（あたためず・あたためぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 温めた（あたためた） |
| polite (mashita) | 温めました（あたためました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 温めなかった（あたためなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 温めませんでした（あたためませんでした） |
| Te form | 温めて（あたためて） |
| Potential | 温められる（あたためられる） |
| Passive | 温められる（あたためられる） |
| Causative | 温めさせる（あたためさせる） |
| Causative passive | 温めさせられる（あたためさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 温めれば（あたためれば） |
| tara | 温めたら（あたためたら） |
| Volitional | 温めよう（あたためよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 温めましょう（あたためましょう） |
| Imperative | 温めろ（あたためろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
体が温まる
体を温める
温まる (intransitive) describes the body becoming warm naturally or as a result, while 温める (transitive) focuses on the act of warming the body.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym熱するねっするNeutralHeats something to a high temperature, as in 「鉄を熱する」; also means to get worked up, as in 「熱しやすい性格」.
- Synonym温めるぬくめるWrittenSame kanji, read 「ぬくめる」: to warm something. Now mostly written/formal prose, though common in everyday speech in western Japan; 「あたためる」 is the most general choice.
- Related加熱かねつNeutralA noun for applying heat, as in 「加熱処理」; found mainly in cooking instructions and industrial contexts.
- Related加温かおんWrittenWritten/formal term for heating, as in 「ビニールハウスで加温する」; used mostly in agriculture.
- Antonym冷ますさますNeutralAntonym of the headword: to let something cool down, as in 「お茶を冷ます」.
- Antonym冷やすひやすNeutralAlso an antonym: to chill or refrigerate something, as in 「ビールを冷やす」.
Use 「温める」 for warming food or the body and for mulling over ideas, as in 「ご飯を温める」 and 「構想を温める」. Use 「熱する」 for heating to a high temperature; 「加熱」 appears in cooking instructions and industrial contexts. 「冷ます」 and 「冷やす」 are the opposites.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
