Translation guide
The process or state of becoming stiff, rigid, or less flexible. This guide covers physical stiffening of objects, body parts, and metaphorical stiffening of attitudes or systems.
Describing when something like fabric, paper, or a mechanical part becomes stiff or rigid.
General term for hardening or stiffening, used for materials, tissues, or abstract concepts.
This resin stiffens with heat.
Everyday phrase meaning 'become hard/stiff', suitable for casual descriptions.
The rope stiffened from the cold.
Technical term for increasing rigidity, used in engineering contexts.
Stiffening of the frame reduced vibration.
When a person's muscles or joints become tense, rigid, or less mobile.
Describes muscles or body parts becoming stiff, often from cold, tension, or fear.
My shoulders stiffened from tension.
More formal or medical term for stiffening, often used for muscles or joints.
My joints stiffened from lack of exercise.
Often used for muscle stiffness or tension, implying a feeling of tightness.
When someone's demeanor, facial expression, or the mood becomes rigid, formal, or tense.
Also used for facial expressions or atmosphere becoming stiff, e.g., a forced smile.
His expression stiffened.
Can describe a person's attitude or the mood becoming rigid or formal.
Her attitude suddenly stiffened.
Literally 'to harden', but often used for a person freezing up or an atmosphere becoming tense.
When regulations, penalties, or resistance become stricter or more severe.
My neck is stiff and painful.
場の空気が固まった。
The atmosphere stiffened.