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B1 verb #6,000 الأكثر شيوعاً 8 دقيقة للقراءة

ほどく

To untie; to unfasten; to undo.

hodoku
At the A1 level, you should focus on the most basic physical meaning of 'hodoku'. It means to untie something. Think about your shoes. When you come home in Japan, you have to take off your shoes. If your shoes have laces (strings), you must 'hodoku' them first. It is a simple action word. You can use it for ribbons on a present or a simple knot in a piece of string. Don't worry about the kanji yet; just remember the sound 'ho-do-ku' and the action of using your fingers to open a knot. It is a very useful word for daily life because Japanese culture involves many things that are tied, like traditional clothes and gift wrappings. Just remember: if there is a string and you want to open it, use 'hodoku'.
سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل
At the A2 level, you can start using 'hodoku' in more varied sentences. You should understand that it is a transitive verb, meaning you 'hodoku' something (Object を ほどく). You can use it for shoelaces, ribbons, and small packages. You should also learn the difference between 'hodoku' (I untie it) and 'hodokeru' (It comes untied by itself). For example, if you are walking and your shoelace comes loose, you say 'Kutsuhimo ga hodoketa'. If you sit down to take off your shoes, you say 'Kutsuhimo o hodoku'. This distinction is a key part of moving from A1 to A2. You might also see this word in simple instructions, like 'Undo the string before opening the box'.
سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل
At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'hodoku' for both physical and slightly more abstract situations. You should know that 'hodoku' is often used for things like letting down hair (三つ編みをほどく - undoing braids) or undoing stitches in sewing. You should also be aware of its metaphorical use, such as '紧张をほどく' (to loosen tension). This is where the word becomes more expressive. You can use it to describe a relaxed atmosphere or someone finally feeling at ease. You should also be able to distinguish 'hodoku' from 'hazusu' (unfasten) and 'nugu' (take off clothes). At this level, you should know that 'hodoku' implies a knot or a weave is being undone, which is a specific type of action compared to just 'removing' something.
At the B2 level, you should understand the nuance 'hodoku' carries in different contexts, including literature and formal settings. You should be familiar with its kanji '解く' and how it differs from 'toku' (to solve). You can use 'hodoku' to describe complex processes, like unravelling a sweater to reuse the yarn or carefully dismantling a kimono. You should also understand its use in social contexts, such as clearing up a misunderstanding (誤解をほどく). At this stage, you should be able to use the word in the passive voice (ほどかれる) or causative voice (ほどかせる) and understand how these changes affect the meaning of the sentence. Your use of 'hodoku' should feel natural and include the appropriate particles and honorifics where necessary.
سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل
At the C1 level, you should appreciate the poetic and nuanced applications of 'hodoku'. It is often used in high-level literature to describe the unraveling of a plot, the softening of a hardened heart, or the release of long-held psychological tension. You should be able to use compound verbs like 'tokihogusu' (to untangle carefully) to describe intricate physical or emotional tasks. You should also understand the historical and cultural significance of 'hodoku' in Japanese crafts, such as 'shibori' (tie-dyeing) or traditional weaving, where the act of untying is as important as the act of tying. Your vocabulary should include synonyms like 'yurumeru' or 'barasu' and you should know exactly when 'hodoku' is the superior choice for its specific tactile nuance.
سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل
At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of 'hodoku' and its place in the Japanese linguistic landscape. You can use it with total precision in academic, professional, and artistic contexts. You understand the subtle differences between 'hodoku', 'toku', and 'hogusu' in classical versus modern Japanese. You can discuss the etymology of the word and its relationship to other 'to-ku' related verbs. Whether you are describing the precise surgical removal of sutures, the metaphorical 'untying' of a complex legal knot, or the aesthetic beauty of a ribbon being undone in a cinematic scene, your use of 'hodoku' is flawless. You can also identify and use the word in rare or archaic expressions found in pre-modern literature, showing a deep connection to the history of the Japanese language.
سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل
أمثلة

ほどく في 30 ثانية

  • Hodoku means 'to untie' and is used for knots, shoelaces, and ribbons.
  • It is a transitive verb, meaning you are the one doing the untying.
  • Metaphorically, it can mean to relax tension or clear up confusion.
  • Commonly confused with 'hazusu' (unfasten) or 'toku' (solve problems).

The Japanese verb ほどく (hodoku) is a versatile and essential term primarily used to describe the action of untying, unfastening, or undoing something that has been bound, knotted, or stitched. At its core, it refers to the physical process of taking apart a connection made by string, rope, thread, or even hair. While it is often written in hiragana in daily life, its kanji form is 解く, which it shares with the verb 'toku' (meaning to solve or dissolve), though 'hodoku' specifically emphasizes the physical loosening of a bind.

Physical Application
Commonly used for shoelaces (靴紐), knots (結び目), packages (荷物), and ribbons (リボン). If you are opening a gift wrapped in a bow, you are performing the action of 'hodoku'.
Textile and Fashion
In the context of sewing or traditional Japanese clothing, it refers to undoing stitches (縫い目) or taking apart a kimono for cleaning or resizing. It is also used when letting down hair that was tied up in a ponytail or braid.

プレゼントのリボンを丁寧にほどく。(I carefully untie the ribbon on the present.)

Beyond the physical, 'hodoku' extends into the realm of emotions and social atmospheres. It can describe the loosening of tension (緊張) or the softening of a rigid mood. When a person feels their heart 'untying' (心がほどける), it suggests they are finally relaxing or letting go of stress. This metaphorical use is highly poetic and frequently appears in literature and song lyrics to describe a moment of relief or emotional release.

固く結ばれた紐をほどくのは大変だ。(It is difficult to untie a tightly tied string.)

Transitive vs. Intransitive
Hodoku is a transitive verb (he/she unties something). The intransitive counterpart is 'hodokeru' (it comes untied), which is used when your shoelaces come loose on their own.

彼女の笑顔を見て、緊張がほどけた。(Seeing her smile, the tension loosened.)

Using hodoku correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical structure and common objects. As a transitive verb, it typically follows the pattern: [Subject] が [Object] を ほどく. The object is usually something tangible like a rope, but it can also be abstract.

Grammar Pattern 1: Physical Objects
When dealing with physical items, the focus is on the manual effort. For example: '荷物の紐をほどく' (Untie the string on the luggage). This implies a deliberate action to open or release something.

三つ編みをほどいて、髪を洗った。(I undid my braids and washed my hair.)

In the context of clothing, 'hodoku' is used specifically for things that are tied. You would 'hodoku' a tie (ネクタイ) or an obi (帯) on a kimono. However, for a button, you would use 'hazusu', and for a zipper, you would use 'orosu' or 'akeru'. This distinction is crucial for sounding natural in Japanese.

Grammar Pattern 2: Abstract Concepts
Abstract usage often relates to 'loosening' a situation. '誤解をほどく' (to clear up a misunderstanding) is a common expression where the 'knot' is the confusion between people. Similarly, '緊張をほどく' means to relax the atmosphere.

彼は冗談を言って、場の緊張をほどいた。(He told a joke and loosened the tension in the room.)

古くなったセーターをほどいて、新しい毛糸玉を作った。(I unraveled an old sweater to make a new ball of yarn.)

Finally, 'hodoku' is used in medical or craft contexts. If a surgeon removes stitches, they might use the term 'bashi' formally, but the action of undoing the thread is 'hodoku'. In knitting, if you make a mistake and have to undo your work, 'hodoku' is the standard verb for that frustrating process.

You will encounter ほどく (hodoku) in a variety of everyday settings in Japan, from the domestic to the professional. It is a word that bridges the gap between simple manual labor and deep emotional nuance. In a Japanese household, you might hear a mother telling her child, '靴紐をちゃんとほどいてから脱ぎなさい' (Untie your shoelaces properly before taking off your shoes). This highlights the importance of the word in basic daily routines.

At the Department Store
When you purchase something wrapped in 'furoshiki' (traditional wrapping cloth) or elaborate ribbons, the clerk might explain how to 'hodoku' the wrapping so you can reuse it later. It is a word associated with the tactile experience of Japanese hospitality.

この風呂敷は、ここを引くだけで簡単にほどけます。(This wrapping cloth can be easily untied just by pulling here.)

In the world of sports and martial arts, particularly those involving 'dogi' (uniforms) and 'obi' (belts) like Karate or Judo, 'hodoku' is used when removing the belt at the end of a session. It marks the transition from a state of discipline and focus back to a relaxed, everyday state. This physical act of untying the belt is often symbolic of 'ending' the formal practice.

稽古が終わって、帯をほどく瞬間が一番好きだ。(I love the moment when the practice ends and I untie my belt.)

Furthermore, you will hear this word in instructional contexts, such as DIY videos or cooking shows. For instance, when meat is tied with butcher's twine for roasting (like 'chashu'), the chef will instruct the viewer to 'hodoku' the string before slicing. It is a functional, instructional verb that everyone in Japan knows from a young age.

焼き上がったら、タコ糸をほどいてください。(Once it is finished roasting, please untie the octopus thread/butcher's twine.)

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with hodoku is confusing it with similar verbs like toku (解く), nugu (脱ぐ), or hazusu (外す). While 'toku' and 'hodoku' share the same kanji, their usage differs in nuance. 'Toku' is often used for solving problems or dissolving mixtures, whereas 'hodoku' is strictly about physical untying or emotional loosening.

Mistake 1: Confusion with 'Nugu'
Learners often say 'hodoku' when they mean they are taking off clothes. You 'nugu' (take off) a shirt, but you 'hodoku' (untie) the laces on the shoes before you 'nugu' the shoes themselves. 'Hodoku' refers to the fastener, not the garment as a whole.

Incorrect: シャツをほどく。(I untie my shirt - unless it's a wrap shirt, this is wrong.)
Correct: シャツを脱ぐ。(I take off my shirt.)

Another common error is using 'hodoku' for buttons or zippers. As mentioned before, these require 'hazusu' (for buttons) or 'akeru' (for zippers). Using 'hodoku' for a button sounds like you are physically ripping the threads out rather than just unbuttoning it. It implies a level of destruction or complete unraveling that isn't intended.

Mistake 2: Intransitive vs. Transitive
Confusing 'hodoku' (transitive) with 'hodokeru' (intransitive). If your shoelace comes undone by itself, you must use 'hodokeru'. If you use 'hodoku', it sounds like you purposely reached down and untied it.

Incorrect: 靴紐がほどいた。(The shoelace untied [me] - grammatically incorrect.)
Correct: 靴紐がほどけた。(The shoelace came untied.)

Finally, avoid using 'hodoku' for solving math problems. While 'toku' (written with the same kanji) is used for 'solving' (問題を解く), 'hodoku' is never used in that sense. If you say 'mondai o hodoku', people will think you are physically taking apart the paper the problem is written on.

While hodoku is the most common word for untying, several other verbs share similar space or offer more specific nuances. Understanding these can greatly enhance your Japanese vocabulary and help you choose the right word for the right situation.

解く (Toku)
The kanji sibling of 'hodoku'. While 'hodoku' is physical, 'toku' is more abstract. Use 'toku' for solving a mystery (謎を解く), solving a math problem (数学を解く), or dissolving a contract (契約を解く). In formal writing, 'toku' can sometimes replace 'hodoku', but in speech, they are distinct.
外す (Hazusu)
Meaning 'to unfasten' or 'to remove'. Use this for items that are clipped, buttoned, or hooked. Examples include buttons (ボタンを外す), glasses (眼鏡を外す), or a mask (マスクを外す). If it doesn't involve a knot, 'hazusu' is likely the better choice.

ネクタイをほどく (Untie a tie knot) vs. ネクタイを外す (Take off a tie entirely).

Another alternative is 緩める (yurumeru), which means 'to loosen'. If you aren't completely untying your shoelaces but just making them less tight, 'yurumeru' is the correct verb. This is also used for 'loosening' rules or restrictions.

ばらす (Barasu)
This is a more informal and sometimes rougher word meaning 'to take apart' or 'to dismantle'. You might 'barasu' a machine or a piece of furniture. It implies breaking something down into its component parts, whereas 'hodoku' is specifically about the strings or binds.

ベルトを緩める。(I loosen my belt - useful after a big meal!)

Lastly, ときほぐす (tokihogusu) is a wonderful compound verb that combines 'toku' and 'hogusu' (a variant of hodoku). It means to carefully untangle or unravel something complex, like a very messy knot or a deeply tangled set of emotions. It carries a nuance of patience and care.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

1

靴紐をほどきます。

I untie my shoelaces.

Simple transitive verb usage with 'o' particle.

2

リボンをほどいてください。

Please untie the ribbon.

Te-form + kudasai for a polite request.

3

紐をほどくのは難しいです。

Untying the string is difficult.

Using 'no wa' to turn the verb into a noun phrase.

4

お母さんが紐をほどきました。

Mother untied the string.

Subject (ga) + Object (o) + Verb.

5

プレゼントをほどきます。

I untie the present.

Direct object 'present' implies the ribbons/wrapping.

6

この紐をほどいてもいいですか？

May I untie this string?

Te-form + mo ii desu ka for permission.

7

ゆっくりほどいてください。

Please untie it slowly.

Adverb 'yukkuri' modifying the verb.

8

紐をほどくのが上手ですね。

You are good at untying strings, aren't you?

No ga jouzu desu (Skillful at doing something).

1

荷物の紐をほどいて、中を見ました。

I untied the luggage string and looked inside.

Sequential actions using the te-form.

2

靴を脱ぐ前に、紐をほどきます。

Before taking off my shoes, I untie the laces.

V-dictionary form + mae ni (Before doing V).

3

この結び目は固くて、ほどけません。

This knot is tight and won't come untied.

Potential form (negative) of the intransitive 'hodokeru'.

4

髪をほどくと、とても長かったです。

When she let her hair down, it was very long.

V-dictionary form + to (When/If condition).

5

リボンをほどかないでください。

Please do not untie the ribbon.

Nai-form + de kudasai (Negative request).

6

三つ編みをほどくのに時間がかかります。

It takes time to undo braids.

V-dictionary form + no ni (In order to/For the purpose of).

7

上手に紐をほどくことができますか？

Can you untie the string skillfully?

V-dictionary form + koto ga dekiru (Can do).

8

彼は急いで紐をほどきました。

He untied the string in a hurry.

Adverbial use of 'isoide' (hurriedly).

1

彼は冗談を言って、みんなの緊張をほどいた。

He told a joke and loosened everyone's tension.

Metaphorical use of 'hodoku' for emotional state.

2

古いセーターをほどいて、マフラーを編み直した。

I unraveled an old sweater and re-knitted it into a scarf.

Use of 'hodoku' for unraveling knitted goods.

3

包帯をほどくときは、痛くないように気をつけてください。

When untying the bandage, please be careful so it doesn't hurt.

V-dictionary form + toki (When doing V).

4

絡まった糸をほどくのは根気がいる作業だ。

Untangling knotted thread is a task that requires patience.

Abstract noun 'konki' (patience) as the requirement.

5

彼女は帯をほどいて、浴衣を脱いだ。

She untied her obi and took off her yukata.

Specific use for traditional clothing fasteners.

6

ようやく誤解をほどくことができて、安心した。

I was relieved that I was finally able to clear up the misunderstanding.

Abstract use: untying a 'knot' of misunderstanding.

7

釣り糸をほどくのに一時間もかかってしまった。

It took me a whole hour to untangle the fishing line.

Emphasizing time duration with 'mo'.

8

手紙の封印をほどく瞬間、胸が高鳴った。

My heart raced the moment I undid the seal of the letter.

Literary use for opening something sealed.

1

職人の手によって、古びた着物が丁寧にほどかれた。

The old kimono was carefully taken apart by the craftsman's hands.

Passive voice 'hodokareru' showing the action done to the object.

2

複雑に絡み合った人間関係をほどくのは容易ではない。

It is not easy to untangle complexly intertwined human relationships.

Metaphorical use for social complexity.

3

このパズルは、紐を特定の順番でほどかないと解けない。

This puzzle cannot be solved unless you untie the strings in a specific order.

Condition 'nai to' (unless/if not) + potential negative.

4

彼は心をほどいて、自分の過去について語り始めた。

He opened up his heart and began to talk about his past.

Idiomatic use: 'kokoro o hodoku' (to open up/relax one's heart).

5

手術の跡の抜糸（ばっし）のために、糸をほどいた。

The threads were undone to remove the stitches from the surgery scar.

Medical context usage.

6

長い間放置されていた荷物の縄をほどくと、埃が舞い上がった。

When I untied the ropes of the luggage that had been left for a long time, dust flew up.

Past tense + to (sequential discovery).

7

リボンをほどく指先が、期待で少し震えていた。

The fingertips untying the ribbon were trembling slightly with expectation.

Descriptive narrative style.

8

彼は自分を縛っていた固定概念を、一つずつほどいていった。

He began to undo the fixed ideas that had been binding him, one by one.

V-te iku (gradual process over time).

1

彼女の優しい言葉が、凍りついていた私の心をゆっくりとほどいてくれた。

Her kind words slowly thawed (untied) my frozen heart.

Benefactive 'te kureta' (did for me) with metaphorical usage.

2

歴史の謎を解き明かすために、古文書の紐を慎重にほどいた。

To solve the mysteries of history, I carefully untied the strings of the ancient documents.

Purpose 'tame ni' with high-level vocabulary.

3

その小説は、絡まり合った伏線を最後に見事にほどいてみせた。

The novel brilliantly unraveled the intertwined subplots at the end.

V-te miseru (to show/demonstrate an action).

4

職人は、一糸乱れぬ手つきで、絹糸の束をほどいていった。

The craftsman unraveled the bundle of silk threads with a flawless technique.

Idiomatic 'isshiridarenu' (flawless/perfectly ordered).

5

長年の沈黙をほどくように、彼は重い口を開いた。

As if breaking (untying) a silence of many years, he finally spoke.

Simile 'you ni' used with an abstract object.

6

都会の喧騒から離れ、自然の中で心身をほどく時間は貴重だ。

Time spent in nature, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, to relax (untie) mind and body is precious.

Compound object 'shinshin' (mind and body).

7

彼女は三つ編みをほどくと、潮風に髪をなびかせた。

After undoing her braids, she let her hair flutter in the sea breeze.

Evocative literary imagery.

8

その法案は、複雑化した規制をほどき、市場を活性化させる狙いがある。

The bill aims to unravel complicated regulations and revitalize the market.

Formal/Political context usage.

1

深層心理に潜む葛藤をほどく作業は、時に苦痛を伴う。

The work of untangling conflicts lurking in the deep psyche sometimes involves pain.

Psychological/Academic context.

2

伝統建築の修復において、釘を使わず組まれた木材をほどくには高度な技術を要する。

In the restoration of traditional architecture, high-level skill is required to dismantle (untie) timber assembled without nails.

Technical/Historical context using 'yousuru' (to require).

3

詩人は言葉の綾をほどき、真実の断片を抽出しようと試みた。

The poet attempted to unravel the nuances (figures of speech) of words and extract fragments of truth.

Highly literary/Abstract usage.

4

外交交渉において、膠着状態をほどく一石を投じるのは誰か。

In diplomatic negotiations, who will be the one to cast the stone that breaks (unties) the deadlock?

Idiomatic 'isseki o toujiru' (to cast a stone/make a move).

5

生命の神秘を解き明かす鍵は、DNAの二重螺旋をほどく先にあるのかもしれない。

The key to unraveling the mysteries of life may lie beyond the unravelling of the DNA double helix.

Scientific/Speculative context.

6

幾重にも重なる歴史の地層をほどくように、考古学者は発掘を続けた。

The archaeologist continued the excavation as if unravelling the layers of history stacked upon one another.

Sophisticated simile with 'chisou' (strata/layers).

7

音楽家は、複雑な旋律をほどき、その純粋な響きを聴衆に届けた。

The musician unraveled the complex melody and delivered its pure resonance to the audience.

Artistic interpretation of sound.

8

禅の教えは、自己を縛る執着をほどき、無の境地に至る道を説く。

Zen teachings explain the path to reaching a state of nothingness by unravelling the attachments that bind the self.

Philosophical/Religious context.

تلازمات شائعة

靴紐をほどく
結び目をほどく
緊張をほどく
三つ編みをほどく
荷物の紐をほどく
誤解をほどく
包帯をほどく
帯をほどく
リボンをほどく
心をほどく

العبارات الشائعة

ほどきにくい

ほどきやすい

糸をほどく

縄をほどく

髪をほどく

封をほどく

網をほどく

絡まりをほどく

束をほどく

縫い目をほどく

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