握る

• Reading: にぎる
• Romaji: nigiru
• Kanji breakdown: 握 (aku/nigi) — grasp, grip, seize
• Pronunciation: /ni.ɡi.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To grasp; to grip; to seize. Also to mold sushi by hand.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb conjugated with the る row (握らない, 握ります). Physical meanings include gripping a handle (ハンドルを握る) and shaking hands (手を握る). In sushi culture, 握る specifically means hand-pressing rice into sushi shapes — hence 握り寿司 (nigiri sushi). Figuratively: 権力を握る (to seize power), 秘密を握る (to hold a secret).

Examples

1. 子供がお母さんの手をしっかり握っていた。 The child was tightly holding onto their mother's hand.
2. あの寿司屋の大将が握るお寿司は最高だ。 The sushi that the head chef makes by hand at that place is the best.
3. 緊張してペンを握る手が震えた。 My hand was trembling as I gripped the pen from nervousness.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, sushi, power dynamics

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 握 combines 扌 (hand radical) and 屋 (phonetic element), depicting the action of closing the hand firmly around something.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal