Japanese

める

くびをしめる
Meaning: to strangle; to choke; (figuratively) to squeeze or tighten the noose around one's own neck
Part of Speech: Verb

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 首を絞める 首を絞めない
Polite 首を絞めます 首を絞めません
Past 首を絞めた 首を絞めなかった
Polite + Past 首を絞めました 首を絞めませんでした
Te-form 首を絞めて 首を絞めなくて
Potential 首を絞められる 首を絞められない
Passive 首を絞められる 首を絞められない
Causative 首を絞めさせる 首を絞めさせない
Imperative 首を絞めろ 首を絞めるな

Handwriting

首
を
絞
め
る

Example

He ended up strangling himself with his own debt.

Usage Notes

Literal meaning is to strangle someone's neck. Figuratively used when someone's own actions or circumstances make their situation increasingly difficult or desperate.

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