Translation guide
The English word 'buckling' can refer to physical bending or collapsing under pressure, or to a person yielding or giving in. This guide covers both meanings with natural Japanese equivalents.
To describe something bending, warping, or collapsing under force or pressure.
To describe a person yielding to pressure, demands, or persuasion.
Metaphorically means to give in or compromise. Often used when someone reluctantly agrees.
For physical bending, use 曲がる (magaru) or へこむ (hekomu). For giving in, use 折れる (oreru) or 根負けする (konmake suru). The word 折れる can be used in both senses, but context makes the meaning clear.
Do not translate 'buckle' literally as バックル (bakkuru), which means a belt buckle. The verb 'buckling' has no direct katakana equivalent.
The shelf buckled under the weight.
Intransitive verb meaning to snap or break. Used when something bends to the point of breaking.
強風でアンテナが折れた。
The antenna buckled in the strong wind.
Intransitive verb meaning to dent or cave in. Used for surfaces that buckle inward.
車のドアがぶつかってへこんだ。
The car door buckled from the impact.
Technical term for buckling in engineering, such as columns or beams under compression.
柱が荷重で座屈した。
The column buckled under the load.
彼は最後には折れて、条件を受け入れた。
He finally buckled and accepted the terms.
Means to be worn down or outlasted, giving in after persistent pressure.
子供の泣き声に根負けして、お菓子を買ってあげた。
I buckled under the child's crying and bought them a snack.
Idiom meaning to throw in the towel or admit defeat under pressure.
厳しい練習に音を上げた。
He buckled under the tough training.
Formal/literary verb meaning to yield or succumb. Often used in writing.
彼は圧力に屈しなかった。
He did not buckle under the pressure.