Translation guide
The English verb 'stiffen' covers several distinct meanings: becoming physically rigid, making something rigid, becoming tense from emotion, strengthening a rule or penalty, and thickening a liquid. Japanese uses different verbs for each.
Describing a body part, material, or object that becomes hard, rigid, or loses flexibility.
General term for becoming hard or stiff. Used for muscles, materials, food, etc.
My fingers stiffened from the cold.
This bread stiffens over time.
Specifically for muscles or body parts becoming stiff, often from tension, cold, or fear. Implies a loss of suppleness.
My face stiffened from nervousness.
To solidify or harden, often for liquids or soft substances. Can also describe a person freezing up.
The gelatin cooled and stiffened.
Causing a material, object, or body part to become rigid or hard.
Body or posture becoming rigid due to fear, anger, surprise, or determination.
Describes facial expression or body stiffening from tension or fear.
Her expression stiffened with fear.
Kanji form of こわばる, same meaning. Often used in writing.
To brace oneself, stiffen in preparation for something. Implies a defensive posture.
To make a rule, law, penalty, or someone's determination stronger or stricter.
To make a liquid or semi-liquid substance thicker or more viscous, often in cooking.
Do not use a single Japanese verb for all meanings of 'stiffen'. For example, 硬くなる only works for physical stiffening, not for strengthening rules. Always match the verb to the specific meaning.
寒天でゼリーを固める。
Stiffen the jelly with agar.
全身が強張るのを感じた。
I felt my whole body stiffen.
He stiffened in anticipation of the attack.
ゼラチンでムースを固める。
Stiffen the mousse with gelatin.