静める・鎮める|しずめるshizumeru[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
静める静める is the most common written form for this verb. Use it for quieting a child or crowd, or calming nerves or excitement.
鎮める鎮める is a less common written form of the same verb. It can express the same meanings, but 静める is the better choice for beginners.
Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto quiet (a child, crowd, etc.); to quieten; to make quiet
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto calm (one's nerves, excitement, etc.); to compose (oneself); to appease (someone's anger); to pacify; to settle (e.g. discord)
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto suppress (a rebellion, riot, fire, etc.); to quell; to put down; to get under controlesp. 鎮める
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto relieve (a cough, pain, etc.); to soothe; to alleviate; to easeesp. 鎮める
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto appease (a spirit, soul, etc.); to pacify; to sootheesp. 鎮める
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 静める（しずめる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 静めます（しずめます） |
| Negative (nai) | 静めない（しずめない） |
| polite (masen) | 静めません（しずめません） |
| classical zu / nu | 静めず・静めぬ（しずめず・しずめぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 静めた（しずめた） |
| polite (mashita) | 静めました（しずめました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 静めなかった（しずめなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 静めませんでした（しずめませんでした） |
| Te form | 静めて（しずめて） |
| Potential | 静められる（しずめられる） |
| Passive | 静められる（しずめられる） |
| Causative | 静めさせる（しずめさせる） |
| Causative passive | 静めさせられる（しずめさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 静めれば（しずめれば） |
| tara | 静めたら（しずめたら） |
| Volitional | 静めよう（しずめよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 静めましょう（しずめましょう） |
| Imperative | 静めろ（しずめろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
騒ぎを静める
静まる describes a disturbance or noise subsiding on its own, while 静める indicates that someone or something actively calms it.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym和らげるやわらげるNeutralNeutral: softens or eases something, as in 「痛みを和らげる」 — it lightens the degree, while 「静める」 settles commotion.
- SynonymなだめるNeutralNeutral: soothes anger with gentle words, as in 「泣く子をなだめる」 — the emphasis is on coaxing and persuasion.
- Synonym鎮定ちんていWrittenWritten/formal prose: the putting down of a rebellion, with a military and political flavour.
- Synonym鎮静ちんせいWrittenWritten/formal prose: calms commotion, emotions or a situation; in medicine too, as in 「鎮静剤」.
- Synonym取り鎮めるとりしずめるWrittenWritten/formal prose: quells a disturbance or dispute and restores calm; rarely used.
- SynonymあやすCasualColloquial: amuses or distracts a small child to keep them happy, as in 「赤ちゃんをあやす」.
- Synonym慰撫いぶWrittenWritten/formal prose: pacifies and reassures with tender, consoling care; 「静める」 merely seeks calm and carries no sense of consolation.
- Synonym和めるなごめるNeutralNeutral: calms the mind and makes it peaceful; uncommon, and close to 「和ます」.
- Synonym鎮静化ちんせいかWrittenWritten/formal prose: a situation or emotions settling down, as in 「騒動が鎮静化」; stresses the resulting calm, whether or not it came about naturally.
- Synonym和ますなごますNeutralNeutral: makes the atmosphere relaxed and friendly, as in 「場を和ます」.
- Related緩和かんわWrittenWritten/formal prose: relaxes restrictions or eases tension, as in 「規制緩和」.
- Related落ち着けるおちつけるNeutralNeutral: settles the mind or body into a steady state, as in 「気を落ち着ける」.
- Antonym煽るあおるNeutralNeutral: fans flames or stirs people up — the opposite of the quelling 「静める」 does.
- Antonym昂ぶらせるWrittenWritten/formal prose: makes emotions run high — the opposite of the calming 「静める」 does.
「静める」 is the default for quieting people, calming feelings or settling disturbances (suppression is also written 「鎮める」), as in 「気を静める」「騒ぎを鎮める」. Use 「なだめる」 to appease anger, 「あやす」 to amuse a small child, 「和らげる」 to ease intensity, and 「煽る」 for the opposite, stirring things up; most of the remaining terms are written/formal prose.
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
