Translation guide
The English verb "abate" generally means to become less intense, severe, or widespread. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for decreasing intensity, calming down, dying down, and subsiding, organized by the type of thing that is abating.
To describe a storm, rain, wind, or similar natural force becoming weaker or stopping.
Intransitive verb meaning to calm down, die down, or subside. Commonly used for storms, rain, wind, and natural disturbances.
The storm abated.
Let's wait until the wind abates.
Intransitive verb meaning to weaken or abate. Used for wind, rain, or any force losing strength.
The rain abated.
Similar to 治まる, but can also imply things settling down or coming to an end. Often interchangeable for weather.
The typhoon abated.
To describe physical discomfort, pain, or medical symptoms becoming less severe.
Intransitive verb meaning to soften, ease, or abate. Commonly used for pain, anxiety, or tension.
Also used for symptoms, especially when they calm down or go away.
Intransitive verb meaning to recede or go down. Often used for fever or swelling.
To describe strong feelings like anger, excitement, or anxiety becoming less intense.
Used for emotions settling down or being brought under control.
My anger abated.
Intransitive verb meaning to become quiet or calm down. Often used for noisy excitement or uproar.
Intransitive verb meaning to cool down. Used for passion, interest, or excitement fading.
To describe sounds, bustling activity, or general disturbance becoming quieter or less active.
To describe a formal lessening, such as a tax, penalty, or nuisance being reduced.
Transitive/intransitive suru-verb meaning to reduce, mitigate, or abate. Used in formal contexts like taxes, burdens, or risks.
The tax burden was abated.
Measures to abate noise pollution are necessary.
Transitive/intransitive suru-verb meaning to ease, relax, or mitigate. Used for regulations, tensions, or conditions.
The regulations were abated (relaxed).
治まる (おさまる) is the most general for things calming down or subsiding, including emotions, weather, and disturbances. 収まる (おさまる) often implies things settling into a proper state or ending, and is common for weather and conflicts. 静まる (しずまる) specifically means becoming quiet, so it's best for noise and commotion. In many weather contexts, 治まる and 収まる are interchangeable.
English 'abate' is somewhat formal. In casual Japanese, people often use simpler verbs like 弱まる (to weaken), 静かになる (to become quiet), or 落ち着く (to settle down) instead of direct equivalents. Match the register to the situation.
The fever abated with medicine.
咳が治まった。
The coughing abated.
The fever abated.
I waited for the excitement to abate.
騒ぎが静まった。
The uproar abated.
My enthusiasm abated.
The hustle and bustle of the city abated.
騒動が治まった。
The disturbance abated.