こわばる

こ

わ

ば

る

JLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

usually written using kana alone

Describes muscles, body parts, or expressions becoming tense or rigid, often from cold, fear, or nervousness. Intransitive verb.

緊きん張ちょうして顔かおがこわばる。

My face stiffens from nervousness.

こわばるUsage72%
Usually written in kana. The kanji form 強張る is also used, but kana is more common.
強こわ張ばるUsage17%
Kanji form; less common than kana. The reading こわばる is standard.
強こわばるUsage11%
search-only kanji form
Search-only kanji form; not commonly used.

固かたまる
固まる means to harden or solidify physically (e.g., liquid to solid), while こわばる refers to muscles or expressions becoming tense or stiff, often due to emotion or cold.
硬こう直ちょくする
硬直する is more formal and often used for rigor mortis or severe stiffness, while こわばる is common for everyday tension or stiffness.

The origin is uncertain. It may be related to こわい (strong, hard) and the verb-forming suffix ばる, but the exact derivation is unclear.