(せば)まる

せばまる
verb (godan)
to narrow; to become narrow; to contract
1. to narrow; to become narrow
For space, width, or range to decrease or become more restricted.
(みち)(さき)()くほど(せば)まっている。
The road narrows as you go further.
選択肢(せんたくし)(せば)まってきた。
The options have narrowed down.
川幅(かわはば)(きゅう)(せば)まる地点(ちてん)がある。
There's a point where the river width suddenly narrows.

TRANSITIVITY:
自動詞(じどうし) (intransitive)
Pair: (せば)める (transitive - to narrow something)
Pattern: Xが(せば)まる

RELATION TO (せま)い:
(せば)まる is the verb form derived from (せま)い (narrow). Note the consonant change: せま→せば.

ASPECT (ている):
(せば)まっている - has narrowed (resultant state)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 視野(しや)(せば)まる - one's perspective narrows
  • 範囲(はんい)(せば)まる - the range narrows
  • 可能性(かのうせい)(せば)まる - possibilities narrow

FIGURATIVE USE:
Often used metaphorically for options, possibilities, or scope being reduced.