()ける

とける
verb (ichidan)
to come undone, to be solved
1. to come undone, to come loose
For something tied or fastened to become unfastened.
靴紐(くつひも)()けている。
Your shoelace is untied.
ネクタイが()けている。
Your tie has come loose.
(おび)()けそうだ。
The sash is about to come undone.
包帯(ほうたい)()けてしまった。
The bandage came undone.
(はし)っている(あいだ)靴紐(くつひも)()けてしまった。
My shoelace came undone while I was running.
2. to be solved, to be resolved
For a problem, riddle, or misunderstanding to be cleared up.
やっと問題(もんだい)()けた。
I finally solved the problem.
誤解(ごかい)()けてよかった。
I'm glad the misunderstanding was cleared up.
(なぞ)()けた。
The mystery was solved.
疑問(ぎもん)()けた。
My question was answered.
緊張(きんちょう)()けた。
The tension eased.
3. to be lifted, to be removed
For a ban, spell, or restriction to be lifted.
魔法(まほう)()けた。
The spell was broken.
警戒(けいかい)()けた。
The guard was lowered.
禁止令(きんしれい)()けた。
The ban was lifted.
(のろ)いが()けた。
The curse was lifted.
封印(ふういん)()けた。
The seal was broken.
規制(きせい)()けて自由(じゆう)になった。
The restrictions were lifted and I became free.

TRANSITIVITY: 自動詞(じどうし) (intransitive). Transitive pair: ()く (to untie, solve).

ASPECT: ている indicates state. ()けている = 'is undone/solved.'

HOMOPHONES:

  • ()ける - to come undone, be solved
  • ()ける - to melt, dissolve
  • ()ける - to melt (metals, ice)

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • (ひも)()ける (a string comes undone)
  • 問題(もんだい)()ける (a problem is solved)
  • 誤解(ごかい)()ける (misunderstanding is cleared)
  • 緊張(きんちょう)()ける (tension is released)

TRANSITIVE PAIR:

  • ()ける (intransitive) - to come undone
  • ()く (transitive) - to untie, solve