窄める

• Reading: すぼめる
• Romaji: subomeru
• Kanji breakdown: 窄 (subo) — narrow, constricted
• Pronunciation: /sɯ.bo.me.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To narrow; to contract; to pucker; to close. To make something smaller in width or opening.

A Group 2 (ichidan) transitive verb, the transitive counterpart of 窄まる (to narrow, intransitive). 窄める describes actively making something narrower — 傘を窄める (to close an umbrella), 口を窄める (to purse the lips), 視野を窄める (to narrow one's perspective). The verb is particularly common in describing facial expressions and gestures, especially lip-puckering. In abstract use it often carries a negative connotation of restriction or limitation.

Examples

1. 母は不満そうに口を窄めて黙ったまま料理を出してきた。 My mother pursed her lips in apparent displeasure and silently brought the food to the table.
2. 傘を窄めて入口のスタンドに立てかけてから、会議室に入った。 Closing up his umbrella and leaning it against the stand by the entrance, he walked into the meeting room.
3. 偏った情報ばかり読んでいると、物事を見る視野が窄められてしまう。 If you only ever read biased information, your perspective on things becomes increasingly narrowed.

Usage Guide

Context: facial expressions, gestures, daily life, abstract restriction

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Transitive counterpart of 窄まる, sharing the kanji 窄 (subo — narrow). The -める ending is a causative/transitive marker in Japanese verb morphology. The lip-puckering usage (口を窄める) is among the most frequent everyday applications.

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional-Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal