Japanese word

控える

Pronunciation

Romajihikaeru

Meaning

  • verbcut down on ___

Example

健康のため、甘い物を控えます。ken kō no ta me ama i mono o hika e ma su

I will cut down on sweets for my health.

Illustration for 控える (cut down on ___)

More examples

会議では、必要がなければ発言を控えました。kai gi de wa hitsu yō ga na ke re ba hatsu gen o hika e ma shi ta

At the meeting, I refrained from speaking unless it was necessary.

Core concept

It means keeping an action or amount within limits instead of letting it go freely.

Common phrases

  • 夜食を控えるya shoku o hika e ru

    cut down on late-night snacks

  • 外出を控えるgai shutsu o hika e ru

    refrain from going out

Similar words

減らすherasu: To make an amount, number, or frequency smaller.
抑えるosaeru: To keep an amount, level, or activity from becoming too high.
節制するsesseisuru: To control one's intake or behavior through self-restraint.

Definition in Japanese

自分の言動や物事の量を、行き過ぎないように抑える。ji bun no gen dō ya mono goto no ryō o i ki su gi na i yō ni osa e ru

Word origin

控える (hikaeru) is a native Japanese verb recorded in the older form 控ふ (hikafu, "to hold back"), and its modern meaning retains this sense of restraint.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 控える (hikaeru) often describes reducing food, drink, or spending rather than stopping it completely.

Other meanings

  • refrain from ___verb
  • hold backverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word