Translation guide
The English word 'lean' has several distinct meanings: to incline or tilt, to rely on someone or something, to have a slim body, and to describe meat with little fat. This guide organizes Japanese expressions by these practical meanings.
To move the body or an object into a sloping position, or to be in such a position.
Intransitive verb meaning to lean, tilt, or incline. Used for objects or bodies that are not upright.
塔が少し傾いている。
The tower is leaning a little.
彼は疲れて壁に寄りかかった。
He leaned against the wall, tired.
Transitive verb meaning to tilt or lean something. Use when you actively cause something to incline.
彼女は首をかしげて考えた。
She tilted her head and thought.
椅子を後ろに傾けないでください。
Please don't lean your chair back.
To lean against something for support, often with the body. Implies resting weight on something.
彼は壁に寄りかかって立っていた。
He was standing leaning against the wall.
To lean on or against something, often in a relaxed or lazy manner. Can also be used figuratively.
ソファにもたれてテレビを見た。
I leaned back on the sofa and watched TV.
To lean forward, often with interest or eagerness. Literally 'to push one's body out'.
彼は話に興味を持って身を乗り出した。
He leaned forward, interested in the story.
To depend on someone or something for support, help, or guidance.
To rely on, depend on, or turn to someone/something. Very common and natural.
困ったときは友達に頼っていいよ。
You can lean on your friends when you're in trouble.
彼はいつも親に頼ってばかりいる。
He always leans on his parents too much.
To depend on, often with a nuance of reliance that may be excessive or unhealthy. More formal than 頼る.
彼はアルコールに依存している。
He leans on alcohol.
To cling to or lean on desperately, often emotionally. Implies a strong need.
Having a body with little fat; slender.
The most common way to say someone is thin or slim. Can be neutral or slightly negative depending on context.
彼は背が高くて痩せている。
He is tall and lean.
Loanword from English 'slim'. Often has a positive, stylish connotation.
彼女はスリムな体型をしている。
She has a lean figure.
Literally 'slender body'. Describes a lean build, often used for clothing sizes or body type.
Describes a toned, firm, lean body (not just thin, but with muscle definition).
彼は引き締まった体をしている。
He has a lean, toned body.
Describing meat that contains little fat.
Refers to the lean, red part of meat (as opposed to fatty parts). Commonly used for tuna, beef, etc.
赤身の牛肉はヘルシーだ。
Lean beef is healthy.
マグロの赤身が好きです。
I like lean tuna.
Literally 'low in fat'. A straightforward description for any meat.
脂肪が少ない肉を選んでください。
Please choose lean meat.
傾く (かたむく) is intransitive: 'The tower leans.' 傾ける (かたむける) is transitive: 'I lean the ladder.' Make sure to use the correct one based on whether there is a direct object.
地震で家が傾いた。
The house leaned due to the earthquake.
彼は体を前に傾けた。
He leaned his body forward.
痩せている (やせている) means 'thin' for people/animals, not for meat. For lean meat, use 赤身 (あかみ) or 脂肪が少ない (しぼうがすくない).
She leaned on his arm and cried.
I want lean-fit jeans.