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.
この樹脂は熱で硬化する。
This resin stiffens with heat.
Everyday phrase meaning 'become hard/stiff', suitable for casual descriptions.
寒さでロープが硬くなった。
The rope stiffened from the cold.
Technical term for increasing rigidity, used in engineering contexts.
フレームの剛性化により振動が減少した。
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.
緊張で肩がこわばった。
My shoulders stiffened from tension.
More formal or medical term for stiffening, often used for muscles or joints.
運動不足で関節が硬直した。
My joints stiffened from lack of exercise.
Often used for muscle stiffness or tension, implying a feeling of tightness.
首が張って痛い。
My neck is stiff and painful.
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.
彼の表情がこわばった。
His expression stiffened.
Can describe a person's attitude or the mood becoming rigid or formal.
彼女の態度が急に硬くなった。
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.
Means 'to strengthen' or 'tighten', commonly used for rules, security, or enforcement.
規制が強化された。
Regulations were stiffened.
Everyday phrase meaning 'become strict/severe', suitable for rules or attitudes.
罰則が厳しくなった。
Penalties have stiffened.
場の空気が固まった。
The atmosphere stiffened.