Translation guide
The English word "incline" can be a verb meaning to lean, tilt, or tend toward something, or a noun meaning a slope. This guide covers both uses with natural Japanese equivalents.
To cause something to slant or to be at an angle
Transitive verb meaning to tilt or incline something. Used for physically leaning an object.
彼は椅子を後ろに傾けた。
He inclined his chair backward.
Intransitive verb meaning to lean or tilt on its own. Used when something is in a slanted state.
地震で家が傾いた。
The house inclined due to the earthquake.
Phrase meaning to put something at a slant. More casual than 傾ける.
本を斜めにして読む。
I read with the book inclined.
To have a tendency or preference for something
Pattern meaning "to have a tendency to do." Natural for expressing inclinations.
彼は遅刻する傾向がある。
He is inclined to be late.
Can also be used metaphorically to mean leaning toward an opinion or direction.
彼の意見は賛成に傾いている。
His opinion is inclined toward agreement.
Suffix meaning "apt to do" or "tend to," often for negative habits.
彼は忘れがちだ。
He is inclined to forget things.
A surface that is at an angle, like a hill or ramp
General word for a slope or hill. Most common for natural or road inclines.
この坂は急だ。
This incline is steep.
More technical term for incline or gradient, used in engineering or formal contexts.
Refers to a slanted surface or slope, often in geography or physics.
傾ける is transitive (someone tilts something), while 傾く is intransitive (something tilts). Use 傾ける when you are actively inclining an object, and 傾く when describing its state.
English "incline to do" is not directly translated as a single verb. Use patterns like 〜する傾向がある or 〜がち instead of trying to use 傾く for all cases.
The incline of the road is severe.
We slid down the incline.