Meaning
to soften; to ease; to calm down; to abate; to be relieved; to mellow
Nuance & Usage
和らぐ describes the gradual softening, easing, or abating of something intense — pain, tension, anger, cold, or harsh emotions. 痛みが和らぐ (pain eases), 緊張が和らぐ (tension softens), 怒りが和らぐ (anger subsides), 寒さが和らぐ (cold lessens), 表情が和らぐ (expression softens) are natural uses. Unlike 消える (kieru — to disappear), 和らぐ implies a gradual, partial easing rather than complete elimination. The transitive counterpart is 和らげる (yawarагeru — to soften/ease something).
Common Mistakes
Learners confuse 和らぐ with 治る (naoru — to heal/recover, for illness), 収まる (osamaru — to settle/subside, for disturbances), and 落ち着く (ochitsuku — to calm down, for a person or situation). 和らぐ specifically describes a gentle softening of intensity — not complete resolution. 気持ちが和らぐ (feelings ease) and 場の雰囲気が和らぐ (the atmosphere of the room softens) are elegant, literary uses. 和らげる is the transitive: 痛みを和らげる (to ease pain).
Example Sentences
彼女の一言で、張り詰めた場の空気が和らいだ。
かのじょのひとことで、はりつめたばのくうきがやわらいだ。
Her single word softened the tense atmosphere in the room.
薬を飲んでから、痛みが少しずつ和らいできた。
くすりをのんでから、いたみがすこしずつやわらいできた。
After taking the medicine, the pain gradually began to ease.
対話が進むにつれ、両者の緊張感が和らぎ、建設的な議論が生まれた。
たいわがすすむにつれ、りょうしゃのきんちょうかんがやわらぎ、けんせつてきなぎろんがうまれた。
As the dialogue progressed, the tension between both parties eased and constructive discussion emerged.
Quick Quiz
N14 questionsTest your knowledge of 和らぐ with 4 different question types.
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