薄める|うすめるusumeru[0]heiban (flat)
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Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto dilute; to water down; to thin; to lighten (e.g. a color); to make less strong (e.g. flavor, depth, etc.)
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto soften (e.g. a statement, impression, etc.); to weaken (e.g. an effect); to tone down; to temper
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 薄める（うすめる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 薄めます（うすめます） |
| Negative (nai) | 薄めない（うすめない） |
| polite (masen) | 薄めません（うすめません） |
| classical zu / nu | 薄めず・薄めぬ（うすめず・うすめぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 薄めた（うすめた） |
| polite (mashita) | 薄めました（うすめました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 薄めなかった（うすめなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 薄めませんでした（うすめませんでした） |
| Te form | 薄めて（うすめて） |
| Potential | 薄められる（うすめられる） |
| Passive | 薄められる（うすめられる） |
| Causative | 薄めさせる（うすめさせる） |
| Causative passive | 薄めさせられる（うすめさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 薄めれば（うすめれば） |
| tara | 薄めたら（うすめたら） |
| Volitional | 薄めよう（うすめよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 薄めましょう（うすめましょう） |
| Imperative | 薄めろ（うすめろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
味が薄まる
味を薄める
薄まる focuses on the event or resulting state, as in 味が薄まる; 薄める foregrounds the agent acting on something, as in 味を薄める.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym割るわるNeutralUsed for cutting liquor with water, as in 「水で割る」; 「薄める」 is the broader term.
- Synonym希釈きしゃくWrittenWritten/formal term for diluting by adding solvent — medicines, drinks, paints, as in 「希釈液」; 「薄める」 is more general and also covers softening or downplaying.
- Related弱めるよわめるNeutralWeakens strength, as of force or fire; 「薄める」 focuses on concentration or color becoming lighter.
- Related和らげるやわらげるNeutralSoftens or eases pain, atmosphere or tone of speech; 「薄める」 focuses on concentration or color becoming lighter.
- Antonym強めるつよめるNeutralThe opposite of 「薄める」 in strength: strengthens or intensifies something.
- Antonym濃くするNeutralThe opposite of 「薄める」 in terms of strength: makes something more concentrated.
Use 「薄める」 to thin concentration or color, or to tone down impressions. For formal dilution use 「希釈」, for watering spirits 「割る」, for weakening force 「弱める」, for easing pain or atmosphere 「和らげる」. Antonyms: 「濃くする」 (more concentrated) and 「強める」 (stronger).
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
