画一化する
かくいつかする
suru verb
to standardize; to make uniform; to homogenize
Conjugation
| Affirmative | Negative | |
|---|---|---|
| Present | 画一化する | 画一化しない |
| Present polite | 画一化します | 画一化しません |
| Past | 画一化した | 画一化しなかった |
| Past polite | 画一化しました | 画一化しませんでした |
| て form | 画一化して | 画一化しなくて |
| ている present | 画一化している | 画一化していない |
| ている polite | 画一化しています | 画一化していません |
| ている past | 画一化していた | 画一化していなかった |
| ている past polite | 画一化していました | 画一化していませんでした |
| Conditional ば | 画一化すれば | 画一化しなければ |
| Conditional たら | 画一化したら | 画一化しなかったら |
| Volitional | 画一化しよう | — |
| Volitional polite | 画一化しましょう | — |
| Potential | 画一化できる | 画一化できない |
| Passive | 画一化される | 画一化されない |
| Causative | 画一化させる | 画一化させない |
| Imperative | 画一化しろ | 画一化するな |
1.
to make a group of things, people, or systems all the same — in form, content, or treatment — regardless of individual differences; to standardize, to make uniform, to homogenize
To forcibly bring a varied group into a single uniform shape, often with a negative nuance of ignoring individuality or local differences. The word is most commonly used to criticize overly uniform education, fashion, architecture, or business practices that suppress diversity. It is often translated as 'standardize' or 'homogenize,' but unlike neutral English 'standardize,' Japanese 画一化する usually implies 'flatten into sameness' rather than 'bring up to a quality standard.'
Composed of 画一 (uniform, identical) + 化 (-ization, a common suffix turning a noun into a verb meaning 'to make into') + する. 画一 itself is built from 画 ('stroke, line') + 一 ('one'), originally evoking the idea of drawing everything with a single line — all exactly the same.
Usage
- Object + を画一化する: to standardize / homogenize [object]
- Subject + が画一化する (intransitive usage): to become uniform
- The passive 画一化される is very common, as this kind of flattening is typically felt as something that happens to a system rather than something someone actively chooses.
画一化する often carries a critical or negative tone — the speaker is complaining that individuality and diversity are being lost. When it is used in a positive technical sense (e.g., standardizing manufacturing quality), the neutral word 標準化する is usually preferred.
Common collocations
- 教育を画一化する: to make education uniform
- 街並みが画一化する: (for) townscapes to become homogenized
- 品質を画一化する: to standardize quality (neutral / positive nuance)
- 価値観の画一化: homogenization of values
- 文化の画一化: cultural homogenization
Similar words
- 標準化する: to standardize — neutral, technical; used for setting agreed specifications.
- 均一化する: to make even / uniform — emphasizes evening out levels or amounts.
- 統一する: to unify — broader; can mean bringing separate things under a single system or format.
- 一律にする: to treat all cases alike / apply uniformly — often refers to applying the same rule to everyone.
- 没個性化する: to deprive of individuality — a more explicitly negative near-synonym.
Related words
- 画一的: uniform, standardized (adjective form, often with the same critical nuance)
- 画一主義: uniformism, one-size-fits-all approach
- 多様化する: to diversify — the direct opposite.
Register
Written and somewhat formal. Common in editorials, essays, and academic writing about education, urban planning, and culture. Not an everyday conversational verb.
Related Words
Compare:
標準化 (to standardize)
Compare:
均一化 (to make even / uniform)
Compare:
統一 (to unify)
Related:
画一的 (uniform, standardized)
Antonym:
多様化する (to diversify)