Translation guide
The English word 'tame' can be an adjective or a verb. As an adjective, it means domesticated, gentle, or not wild. As a verb, it means to domesticate, control, or make less powerful. This guide covers both uses, with natural Japanese equivalents.
Describing an animal that is not wild, accustomed to humans, or domesticated.
Literally 'tamed', used for animals that have been domesticated or trained to live with humans.
そのライオンは飼いならされている。
That lion is tame.
Means 'accustomed to people', often used for wild animals that have become used to humans without full domestication.
このキツネは人に慣れている。
This fox is tame.
Means 'gentle' or 'docile', can describe a tame animal's temperament, but not specifically about domestication.
あの犬はおとなしい。
That dog is tame.
Describing something that is not exciting, mild, or lacking in intensity.
Can also mean 'mild' or 'unexciting' when describing events, colors, or personalities.
パーティーはおとなしい感じだった。
The party was pretty tame.
Means 'plain' or 'subdued', often used for tame styles or designs.
彼の服装は地味だ。
His outfit is tame.
To make a wild animal accustomed to humans and obedient.
The standard verb for taming an animal, literally 'to make it accustomed to being kept'.
彼は野生の馬を飼いならした。
He tamed a wild horse.
Implies winning over and making an animal obedient, often through gentle handling.
To bring something wild or powerful under control, such as emotions, nature, or a situation.
Means 'to suppress' or 'to control', used for taming emotions, desires, or impulses.
彼は怒りを抑えた。
He tamed his anger.
Means 'to control' or 'to regulate', often used for taming forces of nature or complex systems.
科学者たちは川の流れを制御しようとした。
Scientists tried to tame the river.
Metaphorically used for taming something wild, like hair or a chaotic situation.
The English verb 'tame' is often used metaphorically (tame your hair, tame inflation). In Japanese, different verbs are used depending on what is being controlled. Avoid directly translating 'tame' as 飼いならす for non-animal contexts unless it's a deliberate metaphor.
彼女はそのオオカミを手なずけた。
She tamed the wolf.
彼女はくせ毛を飼いならすのに苦労している。
She struggles to tame her frizzy hair.