Japanese

める

ほそめる
Meaning: to narrow (one's eyes); to squint
Part of Speech: Verb

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Verb inflections

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

Handwriting

細
め
る

Example sentences

She squinted her eyes as if it were dazzling.
夏の太陽が眩しくて、目を細めた。
The summer sun was so dazzling that I squinted my eyes.
太陽の光がまぶしくて、目を細めた。
The sunlight was so dazzling that I squinted.
朝日がまばゆくて、目を細めた。
The morning sun was so dazzling that I squinted.

Usage Notes

Commonly used for narrowing one's eyes due to brightness or when smiling. Can also mean to dim a light.

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