Japanese word

握り締める

Pronunciation

Romajinigirishimeru

Meaning

  • verbgrasp tightly

Example

彼女はかばんのひもを握り締めます。kano jo wa ka ba n no hi mo o nigi ri shi me ma su

She grasps the bag strap tightly.

Illustration for 握り締める (grasp tightly)

More examples

彼は悔しさをこらえながら、こぶしを握り締めています。kare wa kuya shi sa o ko ra e na ga ra ko bu shi o nigi ri shi me te i ma su

He is clenching his fists as he holds back his frustration.

Core concept

Describes holding something firmly in the hand so that it does not easily slip or move.

Common phrases

  • こぶしを握り締めるko bu shi o nigi ri shi me ru

    clench one's fist tightly

  • ハンドルを握り締めるha n do ru o nigi ri shi me ru

    grip the handle tightly

Similar words

握るnigiru: To hold an object by wrapping the fingers around it, or to close the hand into a fist.
掴むtsukamu: To catch, seize, or take hold of something with the hand.

Definition in Japanese

手や指に力を込めて、物を強くつかむ。te ya yubi ni chikara o ko me te mono o tsuyo ku tsu ka mu

Word origin

握り締める (nigirishimeru) combines 握る (nigiru, "grasp") in its continuative form 握り (nigiri) with 締める (shimeru, "tighten"), expressing a grasp made tight.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 握り締める (nigirishimeru) can describe gripping an object such as a strap, while clench more often focuses on closing the hand or fingers tightly.

Other meanings

  • clenchverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word