Translation guide
The English word 'thaw' refers to the process of ice or snow melting, or to something becoming less cold or stiff. In Japanese, different words are used depending on what is thawing and the context.
To describe natural melting of ice, snow, or frozen ground due to rising temperatures.
General verb for melting or dissolving. Used for ice, snow, and other solids turning into liquid.
Often used for ice or snow melting, with a nuance of something that was frozen becoming loose or untied. Can be interchangeable with 溶ける in many contexts.
Spring came and the ice thawed.
Technical term for melting or thawing, used in scientific contexts.
The glacier is thawing.
To describe the process of frozen food becoming unfrozen, usually at room temperature or in a refrigerator.
To describe a person's demeanor or a relationship warming up after being cold or tense.
To open up, become friendly, or thaw out after initial reserve. Used for people and atmospheres.
At first I was nervous, but gradually I thawed out.
Literally 'the ice melts', used metaphorically for tension or coldness in a relationship dissolving.
His joke thawed the atmosphere.
To become calm, relaxed, or softened. Describes a tense person or atmosphere becoming gentle.
To describe fingers, toes, or other body parts regaining warmth after being very cold.
溶ける (とける) is the most general for melting (ice, snow, sugar in water). 解ける (とける) often implies something tied or frozen coming undone, and is common for ice/snow melting. 解凍する (かいとうする) is specifically for thawing frozen food or defrosting appliances.
While 溶ける can be used metaphorically (e.g., 心が溶ける 'one's heart melts'), it is not used for a person becoming less reserved. Use 打ち解ける (うちとける) instead.
彼女と打ち解けるのに時間がかかった。
It took time to thaw out with her.
彼女の笑顔を見て、気持ちが和んだ。
Seeing her smile, my feelings thawed.