ichidan verb, transitive verb
harden; solidify; compact; make a fist
Physical use: make something hard, solid, firm, or compact. Setting food, packing down snow or dirt, and clenching one's fist are also used.
See also: 土を固める (つちをかためる)
ゼラチンでゼリーを固める。
Set the jelly with gelatin.
雪を
We tramped down the snow and made a path.
彼は怒って拳を固めた。
He clenched his fist in anger.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
put together; gather; consolidate
Used when separate things are arranged into one group, cluster, block, or consolidated unit rather than left scattered.
机を部屋の奥に固めて配置した。
We placed the desks together at the back of the room.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
make secure; stabilize; settle down; establish
Abstract use for making a decision, position, evidence, or life situation firm and reliable. 身を固める commonly means to settle down, often by marrying or establishing a stable life.
See also: 身を固める (みをかためる)
彼は留学する決意を固めた。
He made up his mind to study abroad.
警察は逮捕前に証拠を固めた。
The police established the evidence before making the arrest.
そろそろ身を固めたいと思っている。
I'm thinking it's about time to settle down.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
fortify; reinforce; surround with support
Used for strengthening a defense, position, or surrounding arrangement. It can also describe something being completely supported or made up by a material or basis, as in 嘘で固める.
See also: 国境を固める (こっきょうをかためる) · 嘘で固める (うそでかためる)
チームは一点を守るために守備を固めた。
The team tightened its defense to protect the one-point lead.
城の周囲を兵で固めた。
They fortified the area around the castle with soldiers.
彼の説明は嘘で固められていた。
His explanation was built entirely on lies.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
dress oneself in; equip oneself with
Fixed-pattern use in the form に身を固める, meaning to dress or equip oneself in clothing or gear for a particular purpose.
登山者たちは防寒具に身を固めて出発した。
The climbers set out dressed in cold-weather gear.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
make a solemn vow; swear firmly
Formal or solemn use, often with 誓い or 約束, emphasizing that a vow or promise is made firm and resolute.
二人は神前で夫婦の誓いを固めた。
The two made their marriage vows before the shrine.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
tie tightly; fasten firmly
Rare or old-fashioned use for fastening something tightly; modern Japanese usually uses verbs such as 締める or 結ぶ for ordinary tying.
古い表現では、「帯を固める」は帯をしっかり締めることをいう。
In older expression, 帯を固める means to fasten one's sash tightly.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
hold a bow fully drawn
Specialized archery-related use for keeping a bow fully drawn; not a common everyday meaning of 固める.
弓道の説明では、「弓を固める」は弓を十分に引いたまま保つことを指す。
In archery explanations, 弓を固める refers to holding a bow fully drawn.