解ける|とけるtokeru[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Definitions
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto be solved; to be worked out
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto come loose; to come untied; to come undone
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto be removed (of restrictions); to be lifted (e.g. of a ban); to be broken (of a spell, curse, etc.)
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto dissipate (of anger, tension, etc.); to melt away; to ease; to be allayed; to be appeased; to be resolved (of a dispute, misunderstanding, etc.); to be cleared up
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 解ける（とける） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 解けます（とけます） |
| Negative (nai) | 解けない（とけない） |
| polite (masen) | 解けません（とけません） |
| classical zu / nu | 解けず・解けぬ（とけず・とけぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 解けた（とけた） |
| polite (mashita) | 解けました（とけました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 解けなかった（とけなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 解けませんでした（とけませんでした） |
| Te form | 解けて（とけて） |
| Potential | 解けられる（とけられる） |
| Passive | 解けられる（とけられる） |
| Causative | 解けさせる（とけさせる） |
| Causative passive | 解けさせられる（とけさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 解ければ（とければ） |
| tara | 解けたら（とけたら） |
| Volitional | 解けよう（とけよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 解けましょう（とけましょう） |
| Imperative | 解けろ（とけろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
謎が解ける
謎を解く
解ける presents the solving as happening to the riddle (謎が解ける), emphasizing the result or spontaneous change; 解く presents it as an action performed by someone (謎を解く), emphasizing the agent's effort.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Related緩むゆるむNeutralBecomes loose (knots, screws) and covers mental slackening or a cold easing; unlike 「解ける」, it does not mean a knot fully coming apart, a problem solved, or a ban lifted.
- RelatedたるむNeutralAlternate writing of 「緩む」; here used for discipline or management growing lax, as in 「規律が緩む」, and for a market softening; 「解ける」 does not express slackening.
- Related弛緩しかんWrittenA formal written noun, mostly medical or figurative for tension relaxing, as in 「筋肉の弛緩」; 「解ける」 is the everyday verb.
- Related緩まるゆるまるNeutralFor something taut becoming loose; less common, with 「緩む」 preferred in daily speech; it does not mean a knot coming apart or a problem being solved.
- RelatedほぐれるNeutralFor tangles coming apart or tension and stiffness easing, as in 「緊張がほぐれる」; 「解ける」 also covers problems being solved and bans being lifted.
- Antonym結ぶむすぶNeutralThe antonym in tying vs. coming undone: it means to fasten or tie, and by extension to conclude agreements.
- Antonym縛るしばるNeutralThe antonym in binding vs. release: it means to tie up or bind, and figuratively to restrict freedom with rules.
Use 「解ける」 for knots coming apart, problems being solved, or bans being lifted. For things merely becoming loose or slack, use 「緩む」; for tension or tangles easing, 「解れる」. The antonyms are 「結ぶ」 and 「縛る」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
See also
