Translation guide
The process of becoming solid, firm, or definite. In Japanese, different words are used depending on whether you mean physical hardening, abstract consolidation, or making something concrete.
To describe a substance changing from liquid to solid state, like water freezing or metal solidifying.
The standard scientific/technical term for solidification of liquids, such as water freezing or molten metal hardening.
水が氷に凝固する。
Water solidifies into ice.
溶けた金属が凝固する。
The molten metal solidifies.
A common everyday verb meaning 'to harden' or 'to become solid'. Used for things like jelly setting, concrete hardening, or even a group's opinion becoming fixed.
ゼリーが冷蔵庫で固まった。
The jelly solidified in the fridge.
セメントが固まるまで待ってください。
Please wait until the cement hardens.
A more formal or technical term for solidification, often used in engineering or chemistry contexts.
この樹脂は熱で固化する。
This resin solidifies with heat.
To describe ideas, plans, or relationships becoming firm, settled, or definite.
Transitive verb meaning 'to harden' or 'to solidify'. Used for making plans, decisions, or relationships firm. Often used with words like 計画 (plan), 決意 (determination), 結束 (unity).
計画を固める必要がある。
We need to solidify the plan.
チームの結束を固めた。
We solidified the team's unity.
Intransitive counterpart of 固める. Used when a plan, opinion, or relationship becomes firm on its own. Often implies a natural process of settling.
Means 'to make concrete' or 'to embody'. Used when turning abstract ideas into a concrete form or plan. Often translated as 'solidify' in the sense of making something tangible.
Means 'establishment' or 'consolidation'. Used for solidifying systems, methods, or status. Often implies a firm foundation.
To describe the process of causing something to become solid, often in cooking or DIY contexts.
Transitive verb used when you actively cause something to harden, like jelly, concrete, or hair gel.
ゼラチンでジュースを固める。
Solidify the juice with gelatin.
寒天で羊羹を固める。
Solidify the yokan with agar.
Causative form of 凝固, meaning 'to cause to solidify'. More technical, used in science or formal descriptions.
冷却して液体を凝固させる。
Cool it to solidify the liquid.
固める is transitive (you solidify something), while 固まる is intransitive (something solidifies on its own). For abstract uses, 固める is often used with を to indicate making plans firm, while 固まる indicates the plan becomes firm.
The English word 'solidification' is often translated directly as ソリディフィケーション in katakana, but this is rarely used outside very specialized technical contexts. It's better to use the natural Japanese terms above.
方針が固まった。
The policy has solidified.
彼の決心は固まっている。
His resolve is solidified.
To solidify an idea (make it concrete).
構想が具体化した。
The concept has solidified (taken concrete shape).
新しいシステムを確立する。
To solidify (establish) a new system.