Japanese word

占める

Pronunciation

Romajishimeru

Meaning

  • verbmake up

Example

子どもが参加者の半分を占めます。ko do mo ga san ka sha no han bun o shi me ma su

Children make up half of the participants.

Illustration for 占める (make up)

More examples

大きなテーブルが部屋の中央を占めています。ō ki na tē bu ru ga heya no chū ō o shi me te i ma su

A large table occupies the center of the room.

Core concept

Presents something as taking up a defined share within a larger group or whole.

Common phrases

  • 人口の大部分を占めるjin kō no dai bu bun o shi me ru

    make up most of the population

  • 大きな割合を占めるō ki na wari ai o shi me ru

    make up a large share

  • 予算の半分を占めるyo san no han bun o shi me ru

    make up half of the budget

Similar words

構成するkōseisuru: To form a specified part of a larger group or whole.

Definition in Japanese

全体のうち、一定の割合や部分を成す。zen tai no u chi it tei no wari ai ya bu bun o na su

Word origin

占める (shimeru) is a native Japanese verb related to 占む (shimu), an older form meaning "to occupy" or "to possess," and it is used for a share within a whole.

Usage tips

  • The phrase make up appears in common expressions such as make up one's mind and make up for lost time, where the words after it determine the meaning.

Other meanings

  • occupyverb

Word lists with this word