Translation guide
The English verb 'strangle' refers to killing or choking someone by squeezing their throat, or metaphorically suppressing something. In Japanese, different words are used depending on whether you are choking with your hands, a cord, or describing a metaphorical restriction.
Expressing the act of killing someone by compressing their neck, typically with hands or a cord.
The most direct and common verb for strangling to death. It combines 'shimeru' (to strangle/choke) and 'korosu' (to kill).
犯人は被害者を絞め殺した。
The culprit strangled the victim to death.
A more formal or technical term, often used in legal or news contexts. It is a suru-verb.
彼は絞殺された状態で発見された。
He was found strangled to death.
A more descriptive phrase: 'to kill by strangling the neck'. It explicitly mentions the neck.
彼女は夫に首を絞めて殺された。
She was strangled to death by her husband.
Expressing the act of squeezing someone's throat to restrict breathing, without necessarily killing them.
Literally 'to strangle the neck'. This is the most common way to say 'to choke/strangle someone' in a non-lethal sense. It can also imply lethal intent depending on context.
彼は怒って私の首を絞めた。
He got angry and choked me.
A general verb meaning 'to strangle' or 'to choke'. It can be used for both lethal and non-lethal actions, but often appears in compounds.
後ろから首を絞められた。
I was choked from behind.
Means 'to suffocate' or 'to asphyxiate'. It can be used when strangling leads to suffocation, but is broader in meaning.
煙が彼を窒息させた。
The smoke strangled (suffocated) him.
Specifically using a thin object like a rope, wire, or cord to strangle.
The same verb as above, but context or additional words clarify the tool used.
彼はワイヤーで絞め殺された。
He was strangled with a wire.
A descriptive phrase: 'to strangle the neck with a cord'.
犯人は紐で被害者の首を絞めた。
The culprit strangled the victim with a cord.
Using 'strangle' figuratively to mean suppressing something like an economy, creativity, or a sound.
Means 'to suppress' or 'to oppress'. Commonly used for stifling freedom, creativity, or dissent.
その法律は言論の自由を抑圧している。
The law is strangling free speech.
Literally 'to tighten' or 'to clamp down'. It can metaphorically mean to restrict or squeeze, like strangling an economy.
増税が景気を締め付けている。
The tax hike is strangling the economy.
Also used metaphorically to mean 'to stifle' or 'to suffocate' something abstract.
過剰な規制がイノベーションを窒息させている。
Excessive regulations are strangling innovation.
When someone is choking because something is stuck in their throat, not by another person's hands.
Means 'to choke on something' (food, object). It describes the state of having something stuck in the throat.
彼は餅を喉に詰まらせた。
He choked on a piece of mochi.
Means 'to suffocate' or 'to choke'. It can be used when someone is choking on something, but is broader.
子供がおもちゃを飲み込んで窒息しそうになった。
The child almost choked to death after swallowing a toy.
In English, 'choke' can mean to fail under pressure in sports. This is not expressed with 絞める. Use プレッシャーに負ける (to lose to pressure) or あがる (to get nervous).
絞める (shimeru) means to strangle or choke, while 締める (shimeru) means to tighten or fasten (like a belt or screw). They are homophones but written with different kanji and have distinct meanings.