慣らす in 30 Sekunden
- Narasu is a transitive verb meaning to accustom, familiarize, or tame. It requires an object (を) and usually a target environment (に).
- It is commonly used for breaking in new shoes, taming animals, or getting one's body/senses used to new conditions like heat or darkness.
- Distinguish it from the intransitive 'nareru' (to get used to) and the homophone 'narasu' (to ring a bell or level the ground).
- It implies a deliberate, gradual process of reducing resistance or friction between an object and its new environment.
The Japanese verb 慣らす (narasu) is a transitive verb (他動詞) that primarily means to accustom someone or something to a new situation, to familiarize, or to tame an animal. At its core, it represents the active process of bridging the gap between 'unfamiliar/wild' and 'familiar/domesticated.' Unlike its intransitive counterpart 慣れる (nareru), which describes the passive state of getting used to something, 慣らす implies an agent taking action to facilitate that adjustment. This distinction is crucial for B1 learners to master, as it shifts the focus from the person experiencing the change to the person or force causing the change.
- Physical Adjustment
- This refers to breaking in physical objects, such as new shoes or a baseball glove, to make them comfortable. When you buy new leather shoes, they are often stiff and cause blisters. By wearing them for short periods, you 慣らす them to the shape of your feet.
- Biological/Animal Training
- In the context of animals, it means to tame or domesticate. It involves taking a wild or nervous animal and making it comfortable around humans or specific environments. For example, 'taming a wild horse' uses this verb.
- Environmental Acclimatization
- This involves preparing the body or mind for a specific environment, such as 'accustoming one's eyes to the dark' (目を暗闇に慣らす) or 'adjusting one's body to the heat' before a marathon.
新しい靴を履いて歩き、足を慣らす必要があります。(You need to walk in your new shoes to get your feet used to them.)
The word is composed of the kanji 慣, which signifies 'habit,' 'custom,' or 'to become experienced.' The radical on the left is the 'heart' or 'spirit' (りっしんべん), suggesting that the process of 'narasu' involves a change in the internal state or the essence of the object being acted upon. Whether you are taming a hawk or breaking in a pair of boots, you are fundamentally changing the state of that object to make it compatible with a specific purpose or environment. This verb is ubiquitous in Japanese daily life, from sports training to childcare and animal husbandry.
野生の馬を人間に慣らすのは時間がかかる。(It takes time to accustom a wild horse to humans.)
Furthermore, narasu can be used in more abstract or social contexts. For instance, a manager might 'accustom' a new employee to the company culture by giving them small tasks first. In this sense, it is synonymous with 'onboarding' or 'phasing in.' The nuance is always one of gradual, intentional progress. It is not a sudden change, but a series of small steps designed to reduce friction and resistance.
まずは耳を英語の音に慣らすことから始めましょう。(Let's start by getting your ears used to the sounds of English.)
- Sensory Adaptation
- Using the verb with senses like eyes (目) or ears (耳) is very common. It describes the physiological process of adaptation.
Using 慣らす (narasu) correctly requires an understanding of Japanese transitivity and verb conjugation. As a Godan verb (Group 1), it follows standard patterns but is often confused with its homophone 鳴らす (narasu - to ring/sound) and its intransitive pair 慣れる (nareru). To use it effectively, follow the structure: [Agent] は [Object] を [Environment/State] に 慣らす.
1. Conjugation Patterns
Since it is a Godan verb ending in ~su, the stem changes as follows:
- Dictionary Form: 慣らす (narasu)
- Negative Form: 慣らさない (narasanai)
- Polite Form: 慣らします (narashimasu)
- Te-form: 慣らして (narashite)
- Past Form: 慣らした (narashita)
- Potential Form: 慣らせる (naraseru)
- Causative Form: 慣らさせる (narasaseru)
- Passive Form: 慣らされる (narasareru)
2. Common Sentence Structures
The most frequent usage involves preparing a person or animal for a new environment. For example, when moving a pet to a new house: '猫を新しい家に慣らす' (Accustom the cat to the new house). Note the use of the particle に to indicate the target environment and を for the object being accustomed.
少しずつ体を寒さに慣らしていく。(I will gradually get my body used to the cold.)
3. Distinction from 慣れる (Nareru)
This is the most common point of confusion for B1 students. 慣れる is intransitive: 'I got used to the cold' (寒さに慣れた). 慣らす is transitive: 'I accustomed my body to the cold' (体を寒さに慣らした). Use narasu when you want to emphasize the effort or the process of training/adjusting something.
- Intentionality
- Narasu implies a deliberate action. If you are 'breaking in' shoes, you are doing it on purpose. If you 'get used' to shoes just by wearing them naturally, nareru is more common.
4. Compound Verbs
Narasu is often combined with other verbs. The most common is 使い慣らす (tsukai-narasu), meaning to become accustomed to using a tool through frequent use, or 飼い慣らす (kai-narasu), meaning to domesticate or bring an animal under control.
You will encounter 慣らす (narasu) in a variety of settings, ranging from the domestic to the professional. Understanding these contexts helps in grasping the subtle nuances of the word beyond its dictionary definition.
1. Domestic and Daily Life
In a household setting, you might hear this regarding children or pets. Parents talk about 慣らす when introducing a baby to solid foods (離乳食に慣らす) or when a child starts daycare (保育園に慣らす). It suggests a gentle, phased introduction to something new and potentially overwhelming.
まずは短時間から保育園に慣らしていきましょう。(Let's start by getting [the child] used to the nursery school for short periods.)
2. Sports and Physical Training
Athletes use this term frequently. Before a big race in a different climate, they might arrive early to 体を現地の気候に慣らす (accustom their bodies to the local climate). It is also used for 'warming up' or 'breaking in' equipment like gloves, bats, or running shoes.
3. Animal Training and Nature Documentaries
If you watch Japanese nature programs or pet training shows, 慣らす is a keyword. It describes the process of a wild animal becoming less fearful of humans. A common phrase is 人間に慣らす (to make [an animal] used to humans).
- 飼い慣らす (Kainarasu)
- This specific version is used for taming. It can also be used metaphorically in literature to describe 'taming' a person's wild spirit or a difficult subordinate.
4. Business and Technology
In the tech world, narasu can refer to 'burn-in' periods for electronic components or 'running in' an engine (engine o narasu). In business, it refers to the adjustment period for new staff or the gradual introduction of a new system to a workforce.
Even advanced learners of Japanese can stumble when using 慣らす (narasu). The mistakes usually fall into three categories: transitivity errors, homophone confusion, and nuance mismatches.
1. The Transitivity Trap (慣れる vs. 慣らす)
The most frequent error is using narasu when you mean nareru. Remember: Nareru is something that happens to you; Narasu is something you do to something else.
❌ Wrong: 日本の生活に慣らしました (I accustomed to Japanese life).
✅ Right: 日本の生活に慣れました (I got used to Japanese life).
✅ Right: 体を日本の生活に慣らしました (I accustomed my body to Japanese life).
2. Homophone Confusion (鳴らす vs. 慣らす vs. 均す)
Japanese has several verbs pronounced narasu, and they are written with different kanji. Confusing them in writing is a common mistake for both learners and native speakers.
- 鳴らす (Narasu)
- To make a sound (e.g., ring a bell, honk a horn). Kane o narasu (Ring a bell).
- 均す (Narasu)
- To level or smooth out (e.g., leveling the ground, averaging numbers). Tochi o narasu (Level the land).
3. Overusing 'Narasu' for People
While you can 'accustom' a person to a situation, using narasu for people can sometimes sound a bit like you are treating them like an animal or an object, especially if you use kainarasu (tame). In professional settings, 馴染ませる (najimaseru - to let them blend in/get comfortable) or 適応させる (tekiou saseru - to make them adapt) is often more polite and appropriate.
To truly master 慣らす (narasu), it is helpful to compare it with related verbs that share similar meanings but have distinct nuances. Japanese is rich in verbs that describe 'adjustment' and 'adaptation.'
1. 馴染ませる (Najimaseru)
This verb means 'to let something blend in' or 'to make something familiar.' While narasu focuses on the process of overcoming resistance or stiffness, najimaseru focuses on harmony and integration. You najimaseru flavors in cooking or najimaseru a new person into a group.
2. 順応させる (Junnou saseru)
This is a more formal, academic, or biological term meaning 'to make adapt.' It is often used in scientific contexts, such as plants adapting to a new environment or humans adapting to high altitudes. It lacks the 'breaking in' nuance of narasu.
3. 調教する (Choukyou suru)
This specifically means 'to train' animals, especially for performance or work (like horses or circus animals). While narasu is about getting an animal used to humans, choukyou is about teaching them specific skills or commands.
- 飼い慣らす (Kainarasu)
- A compound of 'keep/raise' and 'accustom.' It means to tame a wild animal so it can be kept as a pet or livestock. Metaphorically, it means to bring someone under one's thumb.
ドレッシングを野菜に馴染ませる。(Let the dressing soak into/blend with the vegetables.)
Choosing the right word depends on the object and the desired outcome. Use narasu for physical objects, basic animal comfort, and sensory adaptation. Use najimaseru for social integration and culinary blending. Use junnou saseru for formal or biological adaptation.
How Formal Is It?
Schwierigkeitsgrad
Wichtige Grammatik
Transitive vs Intransitive pairs
~te iku (Progressive change)
~te oku (Preparation)
~ni narasu (Target particle)
Causative-Passive (being forced to adjust)
Beispiele nach Niveau
新しい靴を慣らします。
I will break in my new shoes.
Transitive verb + を particle.
猫を家に慣らします。
I will get the cat used to the house.
Direct object is the cat.
耳を日本語に慣らしてください。
Please get your ears used to Japanese.
Imperative form (te-kudasai).
少しずつ慣らしましょう。
Let's get used to it little by little.
Volitional form (mashou).
手を水に慣らす。
Accustom hands to the water.
Dictionary form.
このペンを慣らしたい。
I want to break in this pen.
Tai-form (desire).
犬を外に慣らした。
I got the dog used to the outdoors.
Past tense.
目を光に慣らす。
Accustom the eyes to the light.
Body part + を.
冷たい水に体を慣らしてから泳ぐ。
I swim after getting my body used to the cold water.
Te-form indicating sequence.
新しいクラスに子供を慣らす。
Accustom the child to the new class.
Target environment + に.
毎日練習して、指を慣らします。
I practice every day to get my fingers used to it.
Purpose clause.
彼は馬を上手に慣らした。
He tamed the horse skillfully.
Adverb + verb.
まず、耳を英語のスピードに慣らそう。
First, let's get our ears used to the speed of English.
Volitional form (plain).
新しい環境に自分を慣らすのは大変だ。
It is hard to accustom oneself to a new environment.
Noun phrase with 'no wa'.
胃を少しずつ食べ物に慣らす。
Gradually accustom the stomach to food.
Adverbial phrase 'sukoshi zutsu'.
冬の寒さに体を慣らしておこう。
Let's get our bodies used to the winter cold in advance.
Te-oku form (preparation).
暗闇に目を慣らすのに数分かかった。
It took a few minutes to get my eyes used to the darkness.
Noun + ni + noun + o + narasu.
新しい靴を慣らさないと、靴擦れができてしまう。
If I don't break in the new shoes, I'll get blisters.
Conditional negative (nai to).
彼は野生の鷹を慣らすことに成功した。
He succeeded in taming a wild hawk.
Koto ni seikou suru (succeed in doing).
新入社員を少しずつ仕事に慣らしていく。
We will gradually get the new employees used to the work.
Te-iku (on-going process).
高地の薄い空気に体を慣らす必要がある。
It is necessary to accustom the body to the thin air of the highlands.
Hitsuyou ga aru (there is a need).
ラジオを聴いて、耳をネイティブの発音に慣らしている。
I am listening to the radio to get my ears used to native pronunciation.
Te-iru (current state/action).
このグローブはまだ硬いので、もっと慣らさないといけない。
This glove is still stiff, so I have to break it in more.
Nai to ikenai (must).
新しい眼鏡に目を慣らすまで、少し違和感がある。
Until I get my eyes used to the new glasses, it feels a bit strange.
Made (until).
新しいシステムを導入する前に、社員を操作に慣らしておくべきだ。
Before introducing the new system, we should get the employees used to the operation.
Bekki da (should).
彼女は都会の喧騒に耳を慣らすことができなかった。
She couldn't get her ears used to the hustle and bustle of the city.
Potential negative.
このエンジンは、本格的に使う前に慣らす必要がある。
This engine needs to be run in before it is used for real.
Technical usage (break-in/run-in).
異文化に身を置くことで、感覚を現地の習慣に慣らしていく。
By placing oneself in a different culture, one accustoms their senses to local customs.
De (by means of).
彼は部下を自分のやり方に慣らそうとしている。
He is trying to get his subordinates used to his way of doing things.
Volitional + to shite iru (trying to).
厳しい訓練によって、兵士たちは極限状態に体を慣らされた。
Through harsh training, the soldiers were accustomed to extreme conditions.
Passive voice (narasareta).
新しい環境に早く慣らそうと焦る必要はない。
There is no need to rush to accustom yourself to a new environment quickly.
Aseru hitsuyou wa nai.
使い慣らした道具は、まるで体の一部のように感じる。
Tools that I've broken in feel like a part of my body.
Compound verb (tsukai-narashita).
その作家は、読者を徐々に自分の独特な文体に慣らしていく。
The author gradually accustoms the reader to their unique writing style.
Metaphorical usage.
市場の変動に投資家を慣らすために、段階的な情報公開が行われた。
Gradual information disclosure was conducted to accustom investors to market fluctuations.
Purpose clause with 'tame ni'.
彼は野生動物を人間に慣らすことの倫理的側面を研究している。
He is researching the ethical aspects of accustoming wild animals to humans.
Abstract noun phrase.
社会の規範に個性を慣らしていく過程で、多くの若者が葛藤する。
In the process of accustoming their individuality to social norms, many young people struggle.
Complex sentence structure.
長年の独裁政権は、国民を沈黙に慣らしてしまった。
The long-standing dictatorship has accustomed the citizens to silence.
Te-shimau (regrettable result).
新しい薬の副作用に体を慣らす期間が必要だ。
A period is needed to accustom the body to the side effects of the new medication.
Medical context.
高度なAI技術に社会を慣らすには、教育の抜本的な改革が不可欠だ。
To accustom society to advanced AI technology, fundamental reform of education is indispensable.
Inkapable/Indispensable (fukaketsu).
彼は自らの欲望を理性に慣らすための修行を続けている。
He continues his training to accustom his desires to reason.
Philosophical usage.
文明の利器に毒された現代人を、再び自然の厳しさに慣らすのは容易ではない。
It is not easy to re-accustom modern people, poisoned by the conveniences of civilization, to the harshness of nature.
Complex modifiers.
権力者はしばしば、不条理な現実に民衆を慣らすためのプロパガンダを用いる。
Those in power often use propaganda to accustom the masses to an absurd reality.
Political/Sociological nuance.
言語学者は、外来語が徐々に母国語の音韻体系に慣らされていく過程を分析した。
The linguist analyzed the process by which loanwords are gradually accustomed to the phonological system of the native language.
Passive voice in academic context.
彼は、自らの魂を孤独という荒野に慣らすことで、真の自由を手に入れた。
By accustoming his soul to the wilderness of solitude, he attained true freedom.
Literary/Poetic usage.
科学の進歩は、かつての驚異を日常の風景に慣らしてしまった。
The progress of science has accustomed us to what were once wonders as everyday scenery.
Abstract concept of 'wonder'.
野生の衝動を文明の枠組みに慣らすことは、人間が負った永遠の宿命である。
Accustoming wild impulses to the framework of civilization is an eternal destiny borne by humanity.
Philosophical subject.
その指揮者は、オーケストラの音色をホールの響きに慣らすために、リハーサルに膨大な時間を費やした。
The conductor spent a vast amount of time in rehearsals to accustom the orchestra's tone to the hall's acoustics.
Artistic precision.
歴史の激流に身を慣らす術を知らぬ者は、やがて淘汰される運命にある。
Those who do not know the art of accustoming themselves to the torrents of history are destined to be eventually eliminated.
Archaic/Formal 'nu' negation.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
Wird oft verwechselt mit
To make a sound (bell, horn).
To level or average out (ground, numbers).
Intransitive: to get used to (passive).
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
Leicht verwechselbar
Satzmuster
So verwendest du es
Used for new jobs, schools, or cultures.
Used for taming or getting them used to humans.
Used for eyes, ears, stomach, body temperature.
Used for shoes, gloves, pens, engines.
Tipps
Transitivity Check
Always check if you are the one doing the adjusting (narasu) or if you are just getting used to it (nareru).
Kanji Awareness
Ensure you use 慣 for habit, not 鳴 for sound.
Natural Phrasing
Use 'sukoshi-zutsu' (little by little) with narasu to sound more natural.
Compound Verbs
Try using 'tsukai-narasu' for tools you have used for a long time.
Context Clues
If you hear 'narasu' in a store, it's likely about shoes or leather.
Daycare Context
Remember 'narashi-hoiku' when talking about Japanese childcare.
Body Parts
It's very common with eyes (目) and ears (耳).
Normal-ize
Associate 'Narasu' with 'Normalizing' a new thing.
Don't Tame People
Avoid 'kainarasu' for humans unless you are being metaphorical/literary.
均す (Homophone)
Learn '均す' (to level) to avoid confusion in reading.
Einprägen
Wortherkunft
Derived from the concept of repeating an action until it becomes a 'habit' (慣習).
Kultureller Kontext
The term 'narashi-hoiku' refers to the transition period when a child first starts daycare.
New employees often have a 'narashi-kikan' (adjustment period).
The relationship between a craftsman and their tools is built through 'narasu'.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Gesprächseinstiege
"新しい靴を慣らすのに、どれくらいかかりますか？"
"どうやって猫を新しい家に慣らしましたか？"
"リスニング力を上げるために、どうやって耳を慣らしていますか？"
"新しい職場に自分を慣らすのは大変でしたか？"
"冬の寒さに体を慣らすために何かしていますか？"
Tagebuch-Impulse
最近、何か新しいことに自分を慣らしましたか？
新しい道具を使い慣らすまでの過程を書いてください。
異文化に身を慣らすことの難しさについて考えてください。
ペットを飼い始めた時の「慣らす」苦労について書いてください。
自分の体を厳しい環境に慣らした経験はありますか？
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, specifically for 'training' your ears (耳を慣らす) or mouth (口を慣らす) to the sounds and rhythms.
It's okay for general adjustment, but 'kainarasu' (tame) is rude. For colleagues, 'najimaseru' is softer.
Narasu is about overcoming stiffness/resistance. Najimaseru is about harmony and blending.
Kutsu o narasu (靴を慣らす) is the standard expression.
Yes, 'engine o narasu' means to run it in or break it in.
Yes, for warming up or getting used to the field/climate.
The particle 'ni' (に) is used for the target environment.
Yes, it is a very common B1-level daily life verb.
Yes, like getting a baby's stomach used to solid food.
Yes, 'narashi' (慣らし), often used in 'narashi-unten' (test drive/break-in drive).
Teste dich selbst 49 Fragen
/ 49 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Mastering 'narasu' allows you to describe active preparation and training. Whether you are 'breaking in' a glove or 'onboarding' a new colleague, this verb captures the intentional effort of making the unfamiliar familiar.
- Narasu is a transitive verb meaning to accustom, familiarize, or tame. It requires an object (を) and usually a target environment (に).
- It is commonly used for breaking in new shoes, taming animals, or getting one's body/senses used to new conditions like heat or darkness.
- Distinguish it from the intransitive 'nareru' (to get used to) and the homophone 'narasu' (to ring a bell or level the ground).
- It implies a deliberate, gradual process of reducing resistance or friction between an object and its new environment.
Transitivity Check
Always check if you are the one doing the adjusting (narasu) or if you are just getting used to it (nareru).
Kanji Awareness
Ensure you use 慣 for habit, not 鳴 for sound.
Natural Phrasing
Use 'sukoshi-zutsu' (little by little) with narasu to sound more natural.
Compound Verbs
Try using 'tsukai-narasu' for tools you have used for a long time.
Verwandte Inhalte
Mehr general Wörter
いくつか
B1An unspecified small number of things; some, a few.
ちょっと
A2Ein bisschen; ein Moment. Wird oft verwendet, um Bitten höflicher zu formulieren.
すこし
A2A little; a few.
さっき
A2Vorhin; vor kurzem.
能力
A1Nouryoku refers to the mental or physical power, skill, or capacity required to perform a specific task or function. It can describe both innate talent and skills acquired through learning and practice.
異常
A1A word used to describe something that deviates from the normal state, standard, or expected pattern. It often implies a problem, malfunction, or an extraordinary occurrence that requires attention or investigation.
～について
A2Ein Ausdruck, der verwendet wird, um das Thema eines Gesprächs oder einer Überlegung einzuleiten.
〜について
B1Ein Ausdruck, der 'über' oder 'bezüglich' bedeutet.
～ぐらい
A2Eine japanische Partikel, die 'ungefähr' oder 'etwa' bedeutet.
ぐらい
A2Ich habe etwa drei Stunden geschlafen. (J'ai dormi environ 3 heures.)
