尖とがらせる

ichidan verb, transitive verb

sharpen; point; pout

Physical sense: make something pointed, such as sharpening a pencil or pursing one's lips. Also used for making a voice sharp or high-pitched.

See also: 尖らす (とがらす)

• 鉛えん筆ぴつを尖とがらせる。

  I sharpen the pencil.

• 彼かの女じょは不ふ満まんそうに唇くちびるを尖とがらせた。

  She pouted her lips in dissatisfaction.

ichidan verb, transitive verb

get nervous; put on edge

Figurative use: make one's nerves sharp or tense. Often used in the phrase 神経を尖らせる (to be on edge, to be oversensitive).

See also: 尖らす (とがらす)

• 彼かれは小ちいさな物もの音おとにも神しん経けいを尖とがらせている。

  He is on edge even at the slightest noise.

ichidan verb, transitive verb

raise one's voice; sharpen one's tone

Used with 声 to mean raising one's voice sharply or angrily. Less common than 声を荒らげる but conveys a pointed, piercing tone.

See also: 尖らす (とがらす)

• 彼かれは怒おこって声こえを尖とがらせた。

  He raised his voice sharply in anger.