Translation guide
The English verb "settle" has many meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: resolving a dispute, making oneself comfortable, deciding on something, paying a bill, sinking or coming to rest, and colonizing a place.
To end an argument, conflict, or legal matter by reaching an agreement.
The most common and general verb for resolving problems, disputes, or issues.
We settled the problem through discussion.
The dispute was settled peacefully.
Specifically means to settle through reconciliation or mutual agreement, often in legal or personal disputes.
They settled before the trial.
To settle out of court privately, often used in legal contexts.
We decided to settle the accident out of court.
To sit or rest comfortably in a place, often after moving around.
Means to settle down, calm down, or become comfortable in a place. Often used for both physical settling and emotional calming.
I settled into the sofa.
To relax and take it easy, often used when settling into a comfortable state.
I went home and settled in for a relaxing evening.
To make a final decision about something after discussion or thought.
General verb for deciding or settling on a choice.
We settled on the travel itinerary.
We need to settle on which car to buy.
More formal than 決める, used for official or important decisions.
The policy was settled at the meeting.
To reach an agreement or settlement through discussion.
To pay money that is owed.
Standard verb for paying a bill, debt, or account.
I settled the bill.
To settle an account or pay off a balance, often used in business or formal contexts.
I settled my expenses.
To liquidate or settle financial obligations, often used for final settlement.
They settled the company's debts.
To move downward and come to rest, like sediment in liquid or dust in the air.
To sink or settle to the bottom, used for objects in liquid or air.
The mud settled to the bottom of the water.
To precipitate or settle as sediment, more technical.
The impurities settled out.
To accumulate or settle, used for dust, snow, etc.
To go and live in a new place and make it your home, often as a group.
The English phrase 'settle down' (to become calm or get married) does not directly translate. Use 落ち着く for calming down, or 身を固める (みをかためる) for getting married and settling into a stable life.
I think it's time to settle down (get married).
To express 'settle for' (accept something less than desired), use 〜で我慢する (がまんする) or 〜で妥協する (だきょうする).
I settled for a cheap hotel.
I finally settled into my new house.
Literally 'settle one's hips', meaning to sit down and stay for a while.
Let's settle down here and talk.
値段の話がついた。
We settled on the price.
I settled all my debts.
Dust settled on the desk.