Japanese word

弱める

Pronunciation

Romajiyowameru

Meaning

  • verbweaken

Example

雨が日差しを弱めます。ame ga hi za shi o yowa me ma su

The rain weakens the sunlight.

Illustration for 弱める (weaken)

More examples

風が火の勢いを弱めました。kaze ga hi no ikio i o yowa me ma shi ta

The wind diminished the fire's intensity.

Core concept

It describes making a force, effect, or condition less strong than it was.

Common phrases

  • 影響を弱めるei kyō o yowa me ru

    lessen the impact

  • 圧力を弱めるatsu ryoku o yowa me ru

    reduce the pressure

  • 光を弱めるhikari o yowa me ru

    dim the light

  • 勢いを弱めるikio i o yowa me ru

    reduce the momentum

  • 効果を弱めるkō ka o yowa me ru

    diminish the effect

Similar words

和らげるyawarageru: To make pain, feelings, or an impact less severe or intense.
緩和するkanwasuru: To reduce the severity, force, or effect of an abstract condition.
薄めるusumeru: To make a liquid less concentrated or reduce the force of an effect.
削ぐsogu: To reduce the strength, force, or enthusiasm of something.

Definition in Japanese

力や勢いなどを以前より小さくする。chikara ya ikio i na do o i zen yo ri chii sa ku su ru

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 弱める (yowameru) is formed from 弱い (yowai, "weak") and める (meru), which adds the meaning "make weaker."

Usage tips

  • In news reports, 弱める (yowameru) often describes reducing abstract forces such as criticism or pressure, as well as weakening physical force.

Other meanings

  • diminishverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 弱めyowameweakeningnoun
  • 弱化jakkaweakeningnoun
  • 弱体化jakutaikaweakeningnoun

Word lists with this word