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はめる Japanese meaning | Kotomora

はめる

は

め

る

Common wordJLPTN3Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

ichidan verb, transitive verb

fit; insert; fasten

usually written using kana alone

Physical action of fitting something into a matching space or fastening it securely. Common with panes, corks, buttons, and similar objects.

窓まど枠わくにガラスをはめる。
Fit a pane of glass into the window frame.

ボタン

を

はめる

の

に

手て

間ま

取ど

っ

た

。

I had trouble fastening the button.

2

ichidan verb, transitive verb

put on; slip on; attach

usually written using kana alone

Putting on something that surrounds or envelops, such as a ring, gloves, or a hoop. Also used for attaching a hose or similar item.

指ゆび輪わをはめる瞬しゅん間かん、緊きん張ちょうした。
I was nervous the moment I slipped the ring on.
手て袋ぶくろをはめてから外そとに出でた。
I put on gloves before going outside.

3

ichidan verb, transitive verb

force into a category; pigeonhole; impose restrictions

usually written using kana alone

Abstract use: forcing someone or something into a predetermined mold, category, or set of rules. Often implies unfairness or rigidity.

彼かれを単たんなる怠なまけ者ものという枠わくにはめるのは間ま違ちがいだ。
It's wrong to pigeonhole him as just a lazy person.
新あたらしい規き則そくをはめられて、自じ由ゆうがなくなった。
They imposed new rules on us, and we lost our freedom.

4

ichidan verb, transitive verb

trap; set up; deceive

usually written using kana alone

To trick someone into a disadvantageous situation; can be a scheme, a setup, or a verbal trap. Sense 5 (throw into) is a rarer, more physical variant of trapping, often used in set phrases like 罠にはめる.

彼かれは仲なか間まに裏うら切ぎられて、わなにはめられた。
He was betrayed by his friends and set up in a trap.
うまい話はなしに乗のせられて、まんまと彼かれの策さく略りゃくにはめられた。
I fell for his sweet talk and was completely taken in by his scheme.

5

ichidan verb, transitive verb

usually written using kana alonecolloquialvulgar expression or word

Vulgar slang for sexual intercourse. Usually written in katakana as ハメる. Strongly colloquial and offensive in polite contexts.

あの二人ふたり、昨日きのうハメてたって噂うわさだよ。
Rumor has it those two hooked up yesterday.

Written forms

はめるUsage85%
Usually written in kana; the kanji 嵌める is also common but kana is preferred in many contexts.
嵌はめるUsage11%
Common kanji form for all senses; often used in physical fitting and trapping contexts.
ハメるUsage2%
search-only kana form
Katakana spelling is common for the vulgar sense; also used in casual writing.
塡はめるUsage1%
search-only kanji form
篏はめるUsage<1%
search-only kanji form
填はめるUsage<1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; may appear in older texts.

Kanji

嵌go into, plunge, inlay
塡fill in, fill up, make good
篏inlay, set in, fall into
填

Similar words

はまる
Intransitive counterpart; means 'to fit into' or 'to be trapped'. はめる is the transitive action of putting something into place or trapping someone.
つける
General verb for attaching or applying; はめる implies a tighter fit or enveloping action, while つける is broader.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain. The kanji 嵌 suggests a cavity or fitting, but the word itself is likely a native Japanese verb. The vulgar sense is a slang extension of the trapping meaning.

fill in