狭(せば)める

せばめる
verb (ichidan)
to narrow; to contract; to restrict
1. to narrow; to make narrower
To reduce the width, space, or range of something.
目(め)を狭(せば)めて相手(あいて)を見(み)た。
She narrowed her eyes and looked at the other person.
包囲(ほうい)網(もう)を狭(せば)めていく。
They are tightening the encirclement.
2. to restrict; to limit
To reduce the scope or options of something.
候補(こうほ)を3人(にん)に狭(せば)めた。
We narrowed the candidates down to three people.

TRANSITIVITY:
他動詞(たどうし) (transitive)
Pair: 狭(せば)まる (intransitive - to narrow by itself)
Pattern: Xを狭(せば)める

ASPECT (ている):
狭(せば)めている - is narrowing (action in progress)
狭(せば)めてある - has been narrowed (resultant state)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 範囲(はんい)を狭(せば)める - to narrow the range
  • 選択肢(せんたくし)を狭(せば)める - to narrow the options
  • 目(め)を狭(せば)める - to narrow one's eyes (squinting)
  • 包囲(ほうい)を狭(せば)める - to tighten an encirclement

NOTE:
目(め)を狭(せば)める is used when squinting or looking suspiciously at someone.

Related Words

Pair verb: 狭(せば)まる (intransitive)
general
Added 2026.1.20 21:57 · Revised 2026.1.24 23:24
07500/07611_sebameru