Japanese Conversation · Level 60
75 words
Japanese word
固める
Pronunciation
Romajikatameru
Meaning
- verbfirm up
Example
旅行の計画を固めます。ryo kō no kei kaku o kata me ma su
I firm up my travel plans.
More examples
みんなで話し合って、発表の内容を固めました。mi n na de hana shi a tte hap pyō no nai yō o kata me ma shi ta
We talked it over and finalized what we would present.
Core concept
It marks a change from a loose or uncertain state to one that is firm, stable, or decided.
Common phrases
計画を固めるkei kaku o kata me ru
firm up a plan
日程を固めるnit tei o kata me ru
finalize the schedule
方針を固めるhō shin o kata me ru
firm up a policy
Similar words
決めるkimeru: To choose or settle something after considering the available options.
詰めるtsumeru: To work out the remaining details of a plan or arrangement.
確定するkakuteisuru: To formally fix something so that it will not change.
Definition in Japanese
物の状態や性質、計画や決意などを、変わりにくく確かなものにする。mono no jō tai ya sei shitsu kei kaku ya ketsu i na do o ka wa ri ni ku ku tashi ka na mo no ni su ru
Word origin
固める (katameru) is a native Japanese formation from 固い (katai, "hard") and the suffix める (meru), with the basic sense of making something hard extended to making it firm or settled.
Usage tips
- 固める (katameru) can describe settling a plan, not only making a physical material hard, so its everyday meaning is broader than the English verb harden.