1.
to grasp tightly; to grip firmly
To hold something very tightly in one's hand.
彼女は手紙を握りしめたまま泣いていた。
She was crying while clutching the letter tightly.
子供は母親の手を握りしめて離さなかった。
The child gripped their mother's hand tightly and wouldn't let go.
合格通知を握りしめて、嬉しさのあまり涙が出た。
Clutching the acceptance letter, tears came from sheer happiness.
2.
to clench (fist)
To close one's hand tightly into a fist.
拳を握りしめた。
I clenched my fist.
拳を握りしめて怒りをこらえた。
I clenched my fist and held back my anger.
悔しくて両手を握りしめたが、何も言えなかった。
I clenched both hands in frustration, but couldn't say anything.
握りしめる is a transitive verb (他動詞) formed from 握る (to grip) + しめる (to tighten). It emphasizes holding with force and determination.
ASPECT (ている):
握りしめている indicates continuous tight gripping, often suggesting emotional intensity.
PARTICLE PATTERNS:
- [thing]を握りしめる — to grip [thing] tightly
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 拳を握りしめる (clench one's fist)
- 手を握りしめる (grip someone's hand tightly)
- 希望を握りしめる (hold onto hope - figurative)
EMOTIONAL NUANCE:
This verb often appears in emotional contexts, suggesting determination, fear, anxiety, or desperate attachment.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 握る: to grip (neutral)
- 掴む: to grab, seize
- 握りしめる: to grip tightly (emphatic)