Japanese word

和む

Pronunciation

Romajinagomu

Meaning

  • verbrelax

Example

冗談を言うと、場が和みます。jō dan o yū to ba ga nago mi ma su

The atmosphere becomes more relaxed when we tell a joke.

Illustration for 和む (relax)

More examples

冗談を交わすうちに、会議の雰囲気が和みます。jō dan o ka wa su u chi ni kai gi no fun i ki ga nago mi ma su

As we share jokes, the mood gradually lightens.

Core concept

Shows tension giving way to a calm, warm feeling that can spread through people and the surrounding atmosphere.

Common phrases

  • 場が和むba ga nago mu

    the atmosphere relaxes

  • 雰囲気が和むfun i ki ga nago mu

    the mood relaxes

Similar words

落ち着くochitsuku: To become calm as tension eases in a person or atmosphere.
和らぐyawaragu: To become less tense, harsh, or severe.
安らぐyasuragu: To feel calm and free from worry.

Definition in Japanese

張りつめた気持ちや空気が、穏やかで落ち着いたものになる。ha ri tsu me ta ki mo chi ya kū ki ga oda ya ka de o chi tsu i ta mo no ni na ru

Word origin

The native verb 和む (nagomu, "to become calm") combines なご (nago, "calm and gentle") with the suffix む (mu, "to become"), as in なごやか (nagoyaka, "gentle and calm").

Usage tips

  • The intransitive 和む (nagomu) describes an atmosphere easing on its own, while 和ませる (nagomaseru) describes someone causing the atmosphere to ease.

Other meanings

  • softenverb

Opposites

  • 緊張するkinchōsurubecome tenseverb
  • 張り詰めるharitsumerubecome tenseverb

Related words

  • 和ませるnagomaserurelax someoneverb
  • 和みnagomirelaxationnoun

Word lists with this word