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.
Water solidifies into ice.
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.
The jelly solidified in the fridge.
Please wait until the cement hardens.
A more formal or technical term for solidification, often used in engineering or chemistry contexts.
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).
We need to solidify the plan.
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.
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.
Solidify the plan. (active effort)
The plan solidifies. (natural outcome)
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.
We solidified the team's unity.
方針が固まった。
The policy has solidified.
His resolve is solidified.
アイデアを具体化する。
To solidify an idea (make it concrete).
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.
Solidify the yokan with agar.
Cool it to solidify the liquid.