Translation guide
How to express that something becomes narrower in Japanese, covering physical spaces, abstract ranges, and specific objects.
Describing how a road, path, river, or similar space becomes narrower.
The most common and neutral way to say something becomes narrower. Uses the adjective 狭い (narrow) with the verb なる (to become).
この道は先で狭くなる。
This road gets narrower ahead.
The river is gradually getting narrower.
Often used for things that become thinner or more slender, like a path or a stick. Can imply a reduction in width or diameter.
山道が細くなってきた。
The mountain path has become narrower.
Means to taper or become narrower at one end, like a cone or a funnel. Less common in everyday speech.
筒の先が窄まっている。
The end of the tube is getting narrower.
Describing a reduction in the range of choices, possibilities, or scope.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to narrow' or 'to become restricted'. Often used for abstract things like choices or possibilities.
選択肢が狭まっている。
The options are getting narrower.
可能性が狭まる。
The possibilities narrow.
Literally 'the range becomes narrow'. A straightforward way to say the scope is narrowing.
調査の範囲が狭くなった。
The scope of the investigation got narrower.
Describing how a specific object or opening becomes narrower.
Works for objects that become thinner or narrower in diameter, like a tube, a stick, or a gap.
パイプが途中で細くなっている。
The pipe gets narrower in the middle.
隙間が細くなった。
The gap got narrower.
Can also be used for objects, but often implies a space or opening rather than the object itself.
ズボンの裾が狭くなった。
The trouser legs got narrower.
狭くなる (せまくなる) is for spaces and areas becoming more confined. 細くなる (ほそくなる) is for objects becoming thinner or more slender. For roads, both can be used, but 狭くなる emphasizes the feeling of tightness, while 細くなる emphasizes the physical width.