歪める

• Reading: ゆがめる
• Romaji: yugameru
• Kanji breakdown: 歪 (yuga/wai) — to warp, distort (不 not + 正 straight)
• Pronunciation: /jɯ.ɡa.me.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To bend; to distort; to warp; to disfigure. The transitive counterpart of 歪む — to actively cause distortion.

A Group 2 (ichidan) transitive verb. Used for physically bending something, contorting one's face, or figuratively distorting facts, truth, or meaning. Common pattern: 事実を歪める (to distort the facts), 顔を歪める (to contort one's face in pain or displeasure).

Examples

1. 痛みで顔を歪めながら、彼は立ち上がった。 He stood up, his face contorted in pain.
2. メディアが事実を歪めて報道することがある。 The media sometimes distorts the facts in its reporting.
3. 都合のいいように歴史を歪めてはいけない。 You must not distort history to suit your own convenience.

Usage Guide

Context: media, emotions, truth

Tone: critical

Origin & History

Transitive form derived from 歪む. The kanji 歪 combines 不 (not) and 正 (straight), meaning 'to make not straight.'

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal