hardening; fortifying; making firm
Used for the act of making something physically harder or more solid, or for strengthening a position, resolve, or preparation. Often appears in compound nouns such as 地固め (ground hardening/foundation strengthening) or 身固め (preparing oneself).
We thoroughly hardened the ground before construction.
We aim to strengthen our defense for the match.
Refers to a solemn promise or vow, often in contexts like marriage or loyalty. Common in expressions such as 固めの杯 (ceremonial sake cup exchanged to seal a pledge) or 夫婦の固め (marriage vows).
The two exchanged ceremonial sake cups to seal their pledge.
They exchanged marriage vows at the wedding ceremony.
defense; guarding; tightening security
Used for strengthening a defensive position, guarding against threats, or tightening security. Often seen in sports, military, or security contexts, such as 守りの固め (defensive strengthening) or 警備の固め (security reinforcement).
The team focused on tightening their defense.
Security was reinforced in preparation for the VIP visit.
The two exchanged the ceremonial pledge cup and became husband and wife.
As the match neared its end, the team shifted into a defensive stance.
The jelly hasn't set firmly enough and is still soft.
警備 is the general act of guarding or providing security, while 固め emphasizes the act of tightening or reinforcing an existing defense.
硬め (same reading) describes a degree of hardness, like firm noodles or a firm mattress, while 固め is the noun for the act of hardening, pledging, or defending.
harden; solidify; compact; make a fist · put together; gather; consolidate · make secure; stabilize; settle down; establish · fortify; reinforce; surround with support · dress oneself in; equip oneself with · make a solemn vow; swear firmly · tie tightly; fasten firmly · hold a bow fully drawn
octopus hold
verbal promise; pledge · forbidding someone from telling others; swearing to secrecy
grappling technique; hold-down technique
ground leveling; groundwork · laying foundations
teething toy; teether; teething ring · tooth hardening meal; New Year's feast
securing votes; vote consolidation
groundwork; preparation; laying the foundation · leg strengthening; walking practice; footwork training · leg hold; leg lock · underfloor beam; floor joist connector
Onmyōdō body-strengthening spell
The noun form of the verb 固める (かためる, 'to harden, fortify, pledge, defend'), which is the transitive counterpart of 固まる (かたまる, 'to harden, become firm'). The root 固 (かた) carries the core meaning of 'hard' or 'firm'.
sake cup for sealing a bond; nuptial sake cup
groundwork; solidifying the fundamentals; training of the basics