溶ける・融ける・解ける|とけるtokeru[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
溶ける溶ける（とける） is the most common written form for this meaning. Learners should use it when writing about this meaning.
融ける融ける（とける） is less common than 溶ける（とける）. It is a possible written alternative, but learners should normally choose 溶ける（とける）.
解ける解ける（とける） is less common than both 溶ける（とける） and 融ける（とける）. Learners should normally choose 溶ける（とける） instead.
Definitions
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto melt; to liquefy; to soften (e.g. through heat); to thaw
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto dissolve (in a liquid); to be soluble (in)
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto be used up (of money or time); to be wasted; to melt away
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 溶ける（とける） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 溶けます（とけます） |
| Negative (nai) | 溶けない（とけない） |
| polite (masen) | 溶けません（とけません） |
| classical zu / nu | 溶けず・溶けぬ（とけず・とけぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 溶けた（とけた） |
| polite (mashita) | 溶けました（とけました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 溶けなかった（とけなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 溶けませんでした（とけませんでした） |
| Te form | 溶けて（とけて） |
| Potential | 溶けられる（とけられる） |
| Passive | 溶けられる（とけられる） |
| Causative | 溶けさせる（とけさせる） |
| Causative passive | 溶けさせられる（とけさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 溶ければ（とければ） |
| tara | 溶けたら（とけたら） |
| Volitional | 溶けよう（とけよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 溶けましょう（とけましょう） |
| Imperative | 溶けろ（とけろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
氷が溶ける
氷を溶かす
溶ける describes something melting spontaneously (as in 氷が溶ける), while 溶かす focuses on an agent actively causing the melting (as in 氷を溶かす).
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym溶解ようかいNeutralA noun for dissolving or melting, used mostly in chemistry, as in 「塩が水に溶解する」.
- Synonym熔けるとけるNeutralSpecifically for metals melting under heat, as in 「鉄が熔ける」; a specialized spelling of 「溶ける」 limited to that use.
- Synonym融解ゆうかいWrittenWritten/formal term for a solid melting into liquid, as in 「融解熱」; found mostly in physics.
- SynonymとろけるNeutralColloquial for melting and turning soft, as in 「チーズがとろける」; also for being enraptured, as in 「とろけるような笑顔」.
- Related解凍かいとうNeutralFor thawing frozen food or decompressing files, as in 「冷凍肉を解凍する」; the emphasis is on returning from a frozen state.
- Related溶かすとかすNeutralTransitive: to melt or dissolve something, as in 「砂糖を溶かす」; 「溶ける」 is the intransitive counterpart.
- Related溶化ようかWrittenWritten/formal term for melting by heating; rare, and everyday speech uses 「溶かす」 instead.
- Antonym固まるかたまるNeutralAntonym: to harden or solidify, the opposite of 「溶ける」, as in 「セメントが固まる」.
Use 「溶ける」 for ice or snow melting and for substances dissolving in liquid, as in 「氷が溶ける」. Choose 「熔ける」 for metals, 「溶かす」 to melt or dissolve something, 「解凍」 for thawing frozen food, and 「とろける」 for cheese going soft; 「固まる」 is the opposite.
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
