Translation guide
To make something smaller, weaker, or less intense. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is being lessened (pain, risk, amount, etc.).
To make physical or emotional pain, symptoms, or discomfort less severe.
General verb for softening or alleviating pain, symptoms, or harshness.
この薬は痛みを和らげます。
This medicine lessens the pain.
Formal term for reducing or mitigating something, often used for symptoms, burdens, or risks.
ストレスを軽減する方法を教えてください。
Please tell me how to lessen stress.
To calm or soothe pain, inflammation, or agitation. Often used in medical or poetic contexts.
炎症を鎮める効果があります。
It has the effect of lessening inflammation.
To make something less intense, strong, or large in amount.
Common verb for decreasing quantity, number, or degree.
塩分を減らすようにしています。
I'm trying to lessen my salt intake.
To weaken or lessen the force, intensity, or power of something.
To cause a decline or lowering, often used for quality, ability, or levels.
騒音は集中力を低下させる。
Noise lessens concentration.
To mitigate or soften the impact, seriousness, or harshness of a situation, punishment, or statement.
To ease or relax restrictions, tensions, or harsh conditions.
規制を緩和する動きがある。
There is a move to lessen regulations.
To make lighter or less heavy; can be used figuratively for burdens or punishments.
罰を軽くしてもらった。
They lessened my punishment.
Also used for softening the tone or harshness of words or atmosphere.
To decrease or diminish on its own, without a direct agent.
Intransitive verb for quantity or number decreasing.
最近、食欲が減った。
My appetite has lessened recently.
Intransitive verb for intensity or force weakening.
Intransitive verb for pain, tension, or harshness softening.
Many Japanese verbs for 'lessen' have transitive (～げる/～める) and intransitive (～がる/～まる) pairs. Use the transitive form when someone acts to lessen something, and the intransitive when it lessens by itself.
痛みを和らげる (transitive)
to lessen the pain (deliberately)
痛みが和らぐ (intransitive)
the pain lessens (on its own)
The English verb 'lessen' is broad. In Japanese, you must choose a verb that matches the specific thing being lessened. Using a generic word like 少なくする may sound unnatural for pain or intensity.
風の勢いが弱まった。
The wind lessened in strength.
彼は言葉を和らげて言った。
He lessened the harshness of his words.
雨が弱まった。
The rain lessened.
痛みが和らいだ。
The pain lessened.