固める

堅める

Reading

Kana: かためる

Romaji: katameru

Definitions

v1

vt

1

to harden; to freeze; to strengthen; to solidify; to make (a fist); to tramp down (snow, dirt)

See also: 土を固める (reading つちをかためる)

2

to put together; to collect; to gather; to consolidate

3

to make secure; to stabilize; to settle down; to strengthen (belief, resolution, etc.); to establish (evidence)

See also: 身を固める (reading みをかためる, entry #1)

4

to fortify; to reinforce; to support

See also: 国境を固める (reading こっきょうをかためる) 嘘で固める (reading うそでかためる)

5

to wear for a specific purpose (armor, coat, etc.)

Note: in the form に身をかためる

6

to swear; to resolutely vow; to sincerely promise

7

to tie tightly; to fasten

8

to hold a bow fully drawn

Kanji

固

Readings: コ、 かた.める、 かた.まる、 かた.まり、 かた.い

Meanings: harden, set, clot, curdle

堅

Readings: ケン、 かた.い、 -がた.い

Meanings: strict, hard, solid, tough, tight, reliable

Example Sentences

守(も)りを固(かた)めろ！来(く)るぞ！

➥Tighten the defences! They're coming!

私達(わたしたち)は彼(かれ)に身(み)を固(かた)めさせた。

➥We fixed him!

基礎(きそ)を固(かた)めることは大切(たいせつ)です。

➥It is important to strengthen the basis.

彼(かれ)は結婚(けっこん)して身(み)をかためた。

➥He was married and settled down.

彼(かれ)は粘土(ねんど)を火(ひ)に入(い)れて固(かた)めた。

➥He hardened clay by putting it into a fire.

警官(けいかん)が横(よこ)に列(れつ)を組(く)んで入口(いりぐち)を固(かた)めた。

➥Ranks of police guarded the entrance.