軽くする
軽くする em 30 segundos
- Used to describe making objects weigh less or reducing the difficulty and stress of a situation or task.
- Combines 'karui' (light) and 'suru' (to make), following the standard adjective-to-verb conversion pattern in Japanese.
- Commonly applied to physical weight, hair volume, digital data, psychological burdens, and legal penalties like sentences.
- Essential for B1 learners to master both its literal and metaphorical meanings in daily and professional life.
The Japanese expression 軽くする (karuku suru) is a versatile and essential verb phrase for intermediate learners. At its core, it combines the i-adjective karui (light) with the verb suru (to do/make). Grammatically, the 'i' in karui is replaced with 'ku' to transform the adjective into an adverbial form that modifies the verb, resulting in the literal meaning 'to make light.' However, its application extends far beyond physical weight, encompassing psychological burdens, legal severities, digital optimization, and aesthetic adjustments.
- Physical Weight
- This is the most literal use. If you remove heavy items from a backpack before a hike, you are performing the action of karuku suru. It applies to vehicles, machinery, and even human body weight in the context of dieting or sports competition.
荷物を減らして、バックパックを軽くする必要があります。
(We need to reduce the luggage and make the backpack lighter.)
- Psychological and Emotional Relief
- In a metaphorical sense, this phrase describes the act of easing someone's heart or mind. When you share your worries with a friend, you 'lighten' your mental burden. It is frequently used in counseling, workplace management, and interpersonal relationships to describe the reduction of stress or anxiety.
悩みを聞いてもらって、心が少し軽くした。
(By having someone listen to my troubles, I made my heart a bit lighter.)
- Legal and Formal Severity
- In legal contexts, karuku suru refers to the mitigation of a sentence or the reduction of a penalty. If a judge decides to be lenient due to extenuating circumstances, they might 'lighten' the punishment. Similarly, in business, it can refer to reducing the strictness of a rule or the severity of a requirement.
Furthermore, in the modern digital age, this phrase is ubiquitous in technology. It describes the act of optimizing software to use less memory, reducing file sizes for faster transfer, or simplifying a user interface to make it less overwhelming. When your computer is running slowly, you look for ways to karuku suru the system load. This breadth of usage—from the physical to the digital, the emotional to the legal—makes it a cornerstone of functional Japanese communication.
Using 軽くする correctly requires an understanding of the ~ku suru grammar pattern, which is the standard way to express 'to make something [adjective].' This pattern allows you to turn a state of being into an action. When you use karuku suru, you are the agent of change, intentionally altering the property of an object or situation to make it lighter or less severe.
- Basic Grammatical Structure
- [Object] + を (wo) + 軽く (karuku) + する (suru). For example: Futan wo karuku suru (To lighten the burden). Here, 'burden' is the object receiving the action of lightening.
最新のアプデで、アプリの動作を軽くした。
(With the latest update, we made the app's operation lighter/faster.)
- Transitive Nature
- Note that karuku suru is transitive. It requires a subject (even if omitted) who is doing the lightening. If something becomes light on its own, you would use the intransitive form karuku naru (to become light). Distinguishing between 'making it light' and 'it becoming light' is crucial for natural Japanese.
罰を軽くする代わりに、社会奉仕を命じた。
(Instead of lightening the punishment, they ordered community service.)
- Abstract Applications
- When talking about responsibilities or roles, karuku suru suggests delegating tasks or simplifying duties. In a workplace, a manager might 'lighten' the workload of a stressed employee. In sports, a coach might 'lighten' the training regimen before a big game to prevent fatigue.
In aesthetic contexts, karuku suru can refer to hair or colors. A hairdresser might 'lighten' your hair by thinning it out (volume) or by bleaching it (color). A painter might 'lighten' a shade of blue by adding white. This versatility is why the word is categorized at the B1 level—it requires the speaker to understand how a single physical concept maps onto a wide array of abstract and technical situations.
You will encounter 軽くする in a variety of real-world settings in Japan, ranging from the mundane to the professional. Its frequency in daily conversation is high because Japanese culture often emphasizes the reduction of burden and the importance of 'lightness' in efficiency and social harmony.
- In the Office
- Managers often discuss how to futan wo karuku suru (lighten the burden) for their team. This could mean automating a manual process or hiring more staff. You'll also hear it regarding data: 'Kono fairu, motto karuku dekinai?' (Can't we make this file lighter/smaller?).
業務を効率化して、みんなの負担を軽くしましょう。
(Let's streamline the work and lighten everyone's burden.)
- At the Hair Salon
- This is one of the most common places to hear the phrase. If you have thick hair and want it thinned out so it feels less heavy, you would say 'Sukoshi karuku shite kudasai' (Please make it a bit lighter). The stylist will then use thinning shears to reduce the volume.
全体的にボリュームを抑えて、軽くしてください。
(Please reduce the overall volume and make it lighter.)
- In Sports and Fitness
- Athletes talk about 'lightening' their training load (menuu wo karuku suru) as they approach a competition to peak at the right time. Gym-goers might 'lighten' the weights they are lifting if they feel an injury coming on or if they are focused on high-repetition endurance training.
Finally, you will see this in advertising. Lightweight laptops, shoes, and even food products (like 'light' beer or low-calorie snacks) use the concept of karuku suru to appeal to consumers looking for convenience, health, or speed. The phrase carries a positive connotation of freedom, ease, and modernity in these contexts.
While 軽くする is straightforward, learners often stumble over nuances or substitute it incorrectly for other words. Understanding these pitfalls will help you sound more like a native speaker.
- Confusing 'Karuku' with 'Akaruku'
- In English, 'light' can mean 'not heavy' or 'not dark.' In Japanese, these are strictly separated. Karui is weight; akarui is brightness. If you want to make a room 'lighter' (brighter), you must use akaruku suru. Using karuku suru would imply you are physically removing weight from the room, which makes no sense.
❌ 部屋を軽くするために、窓を開けた。
✅ 部屋を明るくするために、窓を開けた。
- Misusing Intransitive vs. Transitive
- As mentioned before, learners often say karuku suru when they should say karuku naru. If you lose weight and feel 'lighter,' your body karuku natta (became light). You didn't 'lighten' your body in a single intentional act like you would a bag. Use 'suru' for deliberate actions on an object.
❌ 荷物を減らしたら、カバンが軽くした。
✅ 荷物を減らしたら、カバンが軽くなった。
- Overusing it for 'Reducing' Numbers
- While you can 'lighten' a burden, you don't usually 'lighten' a price or a population. For numerical values, use herasu (to decrease) or sageru (to lower). Saying 'nedan wo karuku suru' sounds very strange; it should be 'nedan wo sageru' (lower the price).
Another subtle mistake is using karuku suru for physical pain. While it can work for the 'burden' of an illness, the specific word for easing pain is usually yawarageru (to soften/ease) or osayeru (to suppress). Using karuku suru for a headache might be understood, but it lacks the precision of more specific medical or physiological terms.
Depending on the context, several other Japanese words might be more appropriate or offer a more specific nuance than 軽くする. Choosing the right one demonstrates a higher level of fluency.
- 軽減する (Keigen suru)
- This is a formal, Sino-Japanese (Kango) word. It is used in official documents, news reports, and medical contexts. While karuku suru is conversational, keigen suru is what you'll see in a contract regarding 'reducing liability' or a tax law regarding 'reducing taxes' (e.g., keigen zei-ritsu - reduced tax rate).
政府は中小企業の負担を軽減する方針だ。
(The government plans to reduce the burden on small businesses.)
- 和らげる (Yawarageru)
- This word means 'to soften' or 'to ease.' It is specifically used for tension, pain, or harsh impacts. If you want to 'lighten' the blow of bad news or 'ease' muscle pain, yawarageru is much more natural than karuku suru.
音楽を聴いて緊張を和らげる。
(I listen to music to ease my tension.)
- 緩和する (Kanwa suru)
- This means 'to relax' or 'to deregulate.' It is used for rules, regulations, or traffic congestion. If a city 'lightens' its traffic load by building a new road, they are performing kanwa. It's also used in 'palliative care' (kanwa kea), where the focus is on easing symptoms rather than curing the disease.
In summary: use karuku suru for general, everyday situations and physical weight; keigen suru for formal/technical reduction; yawarageru for softening pain or atmosphere; and kanwa suru for relaxing rules or congestion. Mastering these distinctions will significantly improve your expressive range in Japanese.
How Formal Is It?
Curiosidade
In ancient times, 'karui' was sometimes used to describe the wind or spirits, suggesting a lack of earthly substance. Today, it's most commonly used for smartphones and apps!
Guia de pronúncia
- Pronouncing the Japanese 'r' as an English 'r' with the tongue curled back.
- Over-emphasizing the final 'u' sounds, which should be very short.
- Adding a stress accent on 'ru', making it sound unnatural.
- Confusing 'karuku' with 'kuraku' (darkly).
- Pausing too long between 'karuku' and 'suru'.
Nível de dificuldade
Kanji for 'karui' (軽) is grade 4, very common. The rest is hiragana.
Writing '軽' requires correct stroke order for the 'car' radical.
Easy to pronounce, but requires mastering the ~ku suru grammar.
Distinct sound, but can be confused with other 'karu' words if not careful.
O que aprender depois
Pré-requisitos
Aprenda a seguir
Avançado
Gramática essencial
Adjective + ku + suru
速くする (Make fast), 安くする (Make cheap)
Adjective + ku + naru
軽くなる (Become light), 寒くなる (Become cold)
Transitive vs Intransitive verbs
軽くする (I make it light) vs 軽くなる (It becomes light)
Te-form for requests
軽くしてください (Please make it light)
Compound verbs with ~ka
軽量化 (keiryouka - weight reduction)
Exemplos por nível
カバンを軽くするために、本を置きました。
I left the books to make my bag lighter.
Object (kaban) + wo + karuku + suru.
この荷物を少し軽くしてください。
Please make this luggage a bit lighter.
Te-form (shite) + kudasai for a request.
靴を軽くすると、もっと速く走れます。
If you make your shoes lighter, you can run faster.
Conditional form (~to) showing a result.
箱の中身を捨てて、軽くしましょう。
Let's throw away the contents of the box and make it light.
Volitional form (~mashou) for a suggestion.
もっと軽くする方法はありますか?
Is there a way to make it even lighter?
Noun + wo + [verb stem] + houhou (way of doing).
自転車を軽くして、坂道を登ります。
I'll make the bike lighter and climb the hill.
Te-form used to connect actions.
コートを脱いで、体を軽くします。
I'll take off my coat and make my body light.
Karada (body) as the object.
お皿を軽くして、運びやすくしました。
I made the plates lighter to make them easier to carry.
~yasuku suru (make easy to do) used with karuku suru.
美容院で髪を軽くしてもらいました。
I had my hair thinned out (lightened) at the hair salon.
~te morau (to have someone do something).
ソースに水を足して、味を軽くしました。
I added water to the sauce to make the taste lighter.
Aji (taste) as the object of karuku suru.
宿題を減らして、負担を軽くしてください。
Please reduce the homework and lighten the burden.
Futan (burden) is a common abstract object.
このアプリのデータを軽くしたいです。
I want to make this app's data lighter (smaller).
Tai-form for expressing desire.
運動のメニューを軽くして、休みました。
I lightened the exercise routine and took a break.
Menuu (routine/program) as the object.
掃除を簡単にして、家事を軽くします。
I'll make cleaning easier and lighten the housework.
Kaji (housework) as the object.
説明を短くして、話を軽くしました。
I shortened the explanation and made the talk lighter.
Using two ~ku suru structures together.
色を白く混ぜて、青を軽くしました。
I mixed in white to make the blue lighter.
Color manipulation using karuku suru.
不必要な機能を削って、ソフトを軽くした。
I cut unnecessary functions and made the software lighter.
Soft (software) optimization context.
彼は冗談を言って、場の空気を軽くした。
He told a joke and lightened the atmosphere of the place.
Ba no kuuki (atmosphere) is a common metaphorical object.
責任を分担することで、プレッシャーを軽くする。
By sharing responsibility, we lighten the pressure.
Koto de (by means of) indicating the method.
画像サイズを小さくして、サイトを軽くした。
I decreased the image sizes and made the website lighter.
Web optimization context.
薬を飲んで、症状を軽くすることができた。
By taking medicine, I was able to lighten (ease) the symptoms.
Koto ga dekiru (can/be able to).
反省しているので、罰を軽くしてください。
Since I am reflecting on my actions, please lighten the punishment.
Batsu (punishment) context.
デザインをシンプルにして、印象を軽くした。
I made the design simple and made the impression lighter.
Inshou (impression) as the object.
ローンを早く返して、将来の負担を軽くする。
I will pay back the loan early and lighten the future burden.
Future planning context.
最新の素材を採用し、車体を大幅に軽くした。
By adopting the latest materials, they significantly lightened the car body.
Oohaba ni (significantly) modifying the action.
規制を軽くすることで、新規参入を促す。
By lightening (easing) regulations, they encourage new entries (into the market).
Kisei (regulation) in an economic context.
彼は苦労を見せず、常に周りの心を軽くする。
He doesn't show his hardships and always lightens the hearts of those around him.
Kokoro (heart/mind) as the object.
裁判官は被告の事情を考慮し、刑を軽くした。
The judge considered the defendant's circumstances and lightened the sentence.
Kei (sentence/penalty) in a legal context.
サーバーの負荷を軽くするためのメンテナンスを行う。
We will perform maintenance to lighten the load on the server.
Tame no (for the purpose of).
文章を推敲して、読者の読み心地を軽くする。
I will polish the writing to make the reader's reading experience lighter (easier).
Yomigokochi (reading feel) as the object.
税負担を軽くする特例措置が適用された。
Special measures to lighten the tax burden were applied.
Zei-futan (tax burden) context.
過剰な包装を止めて、ゴミの量を軽くする。
Stop excessive packaging and lighten (reduce) the amount of waste.
Environmental context.
この文体は、重苦しいテーマをあえて軽くすることで読ませる。
This writing style makes the reader keep going by intentionally lightening heavy themes.
Aete (intentionally/daringly) showing stylistic choice.
心の重荷を軽くするには、過去との決別が必要だ。
To lighten the burden of the heart, a break from the past is necessary.
Omoni (heavy burden) used metaphorically.
伝統的な技法を現代風にアレンジし、見た目を軽くした。
They arranged traditional techniques in a modern style and lightened the appearance.
Gendai-fuu (modern style) arrangement.
与党は批判をかわすため、法案の内容を軽くした。
The ruling party lightened the content of the bill to dodge criticism.
Houan (bill/legislation) context.
音楽のテンポを上げ、曲全体の印象を軽くした。
By increasing the tempo, they lightened the overall impression of the song.
Artistic modification.
彼は自虐的なジョークで、自身の失敗を軽くした。
He lightened his own failure with a self-deprecating joke.
Social coping mechanism.
組織のスリム化を図り、意思決定のプロセスを軽くする。
Aiming for organizational streamlining, they will lighten the decision-making process.
Corporate restructuring context.
色彩の明度を上げ、空間の圧迫感を軽くする。
By increasing the brightness of colors, they lighten the sense of pressure in the space.
Appakukan (sense of pressure/oppression).
筆致を軽くすることで、対象の躍動感を見事に表現している。
By lightening the brushwork, the artist masterfully expresses the subject's sense of dynamism.
Hitchi (brushwork/style) in art criticism.
形而上学的な議論の重みを、比喩を用いて巧みに軽くした。
He skillfully lightened the weight of the metaphysical discussion using metaphors.
Keijijougakuteki (metaphysical) - high-level vocabulary.
制度の形骸化を防ぐため、敢えて運用を軽くするのも一つの手だ。
To prevent the system from becoming a mere shell, intentionally lightening its operation is one approach.
Keigaika (becoming a mere shell/losing substance).
その演出は、悲劇の結末をあえて軽くすることで、かえって哀愁を誘う。
That direction invites sorrow all the more by intentionally lightening the tragic ending.
Kaette (on the contrary) showing rhetorical effect.
言語の壁を軽くするための、新たな翻訳アルゴリズムが開発された。
A new translation algorithm has been developed to lighten the language barrier.
Gengo no kabe (language barrier) as the object.
存在の耐えられない軽さを、彼は日常のルーチンを軽くすることで表現した。
He expressed the unbearable lightness of being by lightening his daily routines.
Literary reference and philosophical application.
情報の洪水から逃れるため、生活の質を落とさず入力を軽くする。
To escape the flood of information, one lightens the input without lowering the quality of life.
Informational load context.
外交交渉において、相手の警戒心を軽くする術を心得ている。
In diplomatic negotiations, he knows the art of lightening the other party's wariness.
Keikaishin (wariness/caution) in high-level social context.
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
— Please make it a bit lighter. Used at salons or when someone is carrying your bag.
髪の量が多いので、少し軽くしてください。
— To cheer someone up or ease their worries.
友達と話すと気持ちが軽くなる。
— To be quick to take action or move easily.
チャンスを逃さないように、腰を軽くしておく。
— To be nimble and ready to move or react quickly.
営業マンはフットワークを軽くする必要がある。
— To become talkative or prone to spilling secrets (usually negative).
お酒を飲むと、つい口が軽くなってしまう。
— To rid oneself of possessions or burdens to move easily.
ミニマリストになって身を軽くした。
— Old-fashioned/slang for being promiscuous or flighty (use with caution).
彼女は尻が軽いと噂されている。
— Specifically to lighten one's carry-on or hand luggage.
LCCに乗るので手荷物を軽くした。
— To optimize a device so it runs faster.
古いスマホの動作を軽くする方法。
— To alleviate someone's work or stress.
新しいシステムが社員の負担を軽くした。
Frequentemente confundido com
Akaruku suru means to make brighter (light). Karuku suru means to make lighter (weight).
Yasuku suru is to make cheaper. Sometimes 'light' in English can mean 'cheap', but not in Japanese.
Usuku suru is to make thinner (thickness) or lighter (color/flavor).
Expressões idiomáticas
— Unable to keep a secret; talkative.
彼は口が軽いから、秘密は言わないほうがいい。
Informal— Flighty, loose in morals, or quick to move (often negative).
尻が軽い男だと思われたくない。
Slang/Pejorative— Quick to act; nimble; helpful.
若いうちは腰を軽くして、何でも手伝うべきだ。
Neutral— Walking with a light, happy step.
テストが終わって、彼の足取りは軽かった。
Neutral— Agile; having no family or financial burdens.
独身なので身が軽く、どこへでも行ける。
Neutral— Skillful with hands or doing work quickly (sometimes implies shallow work).
あの職人は手が軽くて、仕事が早い。
Neutral— Feeling carefree or light-hearted.
仕事が全部終わって、気が軽くなった。
Neutral— Being adaptable and quick to respond to changes or opportunities.
彼はフットワークが軽いので、すぐに駆けつけてくれる。
Neutral— One's words lack weight or sincerity.
彼の言うことはいつも言葉が軽いので、信用できない。
Neutral— To value life lightly; to be reckless.
自分の命を軽く見てはいけない。
NeutralFácil de confundir
Both mean 'to ease'.
Yawarageru is for pain, impact, or tension. Karuku suru is for weight, burden, or severity.
緊張を和らげる (Ease tension).
Both mean 'to reduce'.
Keigen suru is formal/academic. Karuku suru is daily/conversational.
税を軽減する (Reduce taxes).
Both mean 'to lighten/ease'.
Kanwa suru is for rules or congestion. Karuku suru is for weight or punishment.
規制を緩和する (Ease regulations).
Both imply making something less.
Herasu focuses on quantity (number). Karuku suru focuses on the resulting state (lightness).
ゴミを減らす (Reduce trash).
Homonyms in English ('light').
Akaruku is for light/brightness. Karuku is for weight.
部屋を明るくする (Brighten the room).
Padrões de frases
[Noun] を 軽くする
カバンを軽くする。
[Noun] を 少し 軽くする
荷物を少し軽くする。
[Noun] を 軽くするために [Action]
PCを軽くするために、ファイルを消した。
[Noun] の負担を 軽くする
お母さんの負担を軽くする。
[Noun] を 軽くして [Result]
車体を軽くして、燃費を良くした。
[Noun] を 軽くする 代わりに [Condition]
罰を軽くする代わりに、手伝いをさせた。
あえて [Noun] を 軽くする
あえて話を軽くすることで、恐怖を和らげる。
[Noun] を 軽くする 術を 知っている
彼は相手の警戒心を軽くする術を知っている。
Família de palavras
Substantivos
Verbos
Adjetivos
Relacionado
Como usar
Very common in daily speech, technology, and service industries.
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Using 'karuku suru' for a room's lighting.
→
部屋を明るくする (Akaruku suru).
Karuku is weight; Akaruku is brightness. Do not mix them up!
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Saying 'karuku shita' when the bag became light on its own.
→
カバンが軽くなった (Karuku natta).
Use 'suru' for your own action, and 'naru' for a change that happens naturally.
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Using 'karuku suru' for a price reduction.
→
安くする (Yasuku suru) or 値下げする (Nesage suru).
Prices are 'cheap' or 'low', not 'light' in Japanese.
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Using 'karuku suru' for physical pain in a medical report.
→
痛みを和らげる (Itami wo yawarageru).
While understandable, 'yawarageru' is the professional term for easing pain.
-
Confusing 'karuku suru' with 'karonjiru'.
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Use 'karuku suru' for weight/burden, 'karonjiru' for looking down on someone.
Karonjiru is a specific verb meaning to underestimate or despise.
Dicas
Hair Salon Secret
If you want to reduce volume without changing length, 'karuku suru' is the magic phrase. It tells the stylist to use thinning shears.
Adjective to Verb
This pattern works for all i-adjectives. Replace the final 'i' with 'ku' and add 'suru' to mean 'to make it [adjective]'.
Easing Minds
Using 'kokoro wo karuku suru' is a very kind way to talk about helping someone through a tough time. It’s common in self-help and counseling.
Speed Up Your PC
When your computer is slow, search for 'PC wo karuku suru houhou' in Japanese to find many optimization tips.
Leniency
In legal dramas, you'll often hear lawyers asking the judge to 'kei wo karuku suru' based on the defendant's background.
Light Flavors
In summer, Japanese people prefer 'karui aji' (light flavors). You can 'karuku suru' a dish by using vinegar or citrus instead of heavy oils.
Watch Your Mouth
Remember 'kuchi ga karui' (light mouth) means someone spills secrets. Don't be that person!
Writing Nuance
If you are writing a story, using 'karuku suru' for the weather (like clouds or wind) can create a sense of movement and airiness.
Helping Out
Offer to 'futan wo karuku suru' for a colleague. It’s a very polite way to offer help without making them feel incompetent.
Opposites Attract
Always learn 'karuku suru' alongside 'omoku suru'. Learning antonyms together doubles your vocabulary efficiency.
Memorize
Mnemônico
Think of a 'CAR' (Ka) that is so 'LIGHT' (Karui) you can 'DO' (Suru) a lift with one hand. Karu-ku-suru = Car-Light-Make.
Associação visual
Imagine a person lifting a heavy backpack, and as they remove items, it starts to float away like a balloon. That action of removing items is 'karuku suru'.
Word Web
Desafio
Try to find three things in your house today that you can 'karuku suru.' Maybe it's a messy drawer, a heavy bag, or a long to-do list. Say 'Karuku shimasu!' as you do it.
Origem da palavra
The word 'karui' (light) comes from Old Japanese 'karusi'. It has been used for centuries to describe things of little weight. The 'ku' suffix is the adverbial inflection for i-adjectives, which has existed since the earliest recorded Japanese. 'Suru' is the primary verb of action in Japanese, derived from 'su'.
Significado original: The original meaning was strictly physical—describing objects that were easy to lift or move.
Japonic (Native Japanese origin / Yamato Kotoba).Contexto cultural
Avoid using 'kuchi ga karui' (light-mouthed) about someone unless you want to criticize them for being a gossip. Similarly, 'shiri ga karui' is highly offensive.
English speakers use 'lighten up' for moods, but 'lighten' for weight. Japanese uses 'karuku suru' for both, but be careful not to use it for 'light' meaning 'brightness'.
Pratique na vida real
Contextos reais
Hair Salon
- 全体的に軽くしてください。
- 後ろの方を軽くしてください。
- すいて軽くしてください。
- 重いので軽くしたいです。
Office/Work
- 業務の負担を軽くする。
- ファイルのサイズを軽くする。
- スケジュールの密度を軽くする。
- 会議の内容を軽くする。
Travel/Packing
- スーツケースを軽くする。
- 持ち物を軽くする。
- 手荷物を軽くする。
- 装備を軽くする。
Digital/IT
- システムの負荷を軽くする。
- 画像を軽くする。
- コードを軽くする。
- 動作を軽くする設定。
Emotional Support
- 友達の心を軽くする。
- 悩みを話して気持ちを軽くする。
- プレッシャーを軽くする。
- 不安を軽くする。
Iniciadores de conversa
"最近、何か「軽くしたい」と思っていることはありますか? (Is there anything you want to 'lighten' lately?)"
"PCの動作を軽くするために、どんな工夫をしていますか? (What do you do to make your PC run lighter/faster?)"
"旅行に行くとき、どうやって荷物を軽くしていますか? (How do you lighten your luggage when you go on a trip?)"
"ストレスが溜まったとき、どうやって心を軽くしますか? (How do you lighten your heart when you are stressed?)"
"美容院ではいつも「軽くしてください」と頼みますか? (Do you always ask to 'make it lighter' at the hair salon?)"
Temas para diário
今日、誰かの負担を軽くするために何ができましたか? (What could you do today to lighten someone's burden?)
もし自分の人生を「軽くする」なら、何を捨てますか? (If you were to 'lighten' your life, what would you throw away?)
最近、心が軽くなった出来事について書いてください。 (Write about an event that made your heart feel lighter recently.)
仕事や勉強を「軽くする」ためのアイデアを5つ出してください。 (Give 5 ideas to 'lighten' your work or studies.)
「口が軽い人」についてどう思いますか? (What do you think about people who are 'light-mouthed'?)
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNo, for a bright room you must use 'akaruku suru'. 'Karuku suru' only refers to weight or burden. In English, the word 'light' covers both, but Japanese distinguishes them clearly.
You should say 'Sukoshi karuku shite kudasai' (Please make it a bit lighter). Stylists understand this as reducing the volume by thinning it out.
It is fine for casual or internal meetings. However, in formal reports or to clients, use 'keigen suru' (reduce) or 'kouritsuka suru' (streamline) to sound more professional.
'Karuku suru' is transitive (someone makes it light). 'Karuku naru' is intransitive (it becomes light on its own). For example, 'I lightened the bag' vs 'The bag became light'.
Yes, you can use it for 'heavy' flavors. For example, 'Adding lemon makes the taste lighter' (Remon wo tasu to aji ga karuku naru).
No, it is usually a criticism. It means someone cannot keep a secret and talks too much about things they shouldn't.
Yes, it is very common! To 'karuku suru' software means to optimize it so it uses less CPU or memory and runs faster.
Not usually. For prices, use 'yasuku suru' (make cheap) or 'sageru' (lower). 'Karuku suru' for a price sounds strange.
You can say 'batsu wo karuku suru' or 'kei wo karuku suru'. It means to reduce the severity of the penalty.
The opposite is 'omoku suru' (to make heavy). You can also use 'kyouka suru' (strengthen) depending on the context.
Teste-se 180 perguntas
Translate: 'I want to make my bag lighter.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Use [Object] wo karuku shitai desu.
Use [Object] wo karuku shitai desu.
Translate: 'Please lighten my burden.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Use [Noun] wo karuku shite kudasai.
Use [Noun] wo karuku shite kudasai.
Translate: 'I made the software faster (lighter).'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Use [Noun] wo karuku shimashita.
Use [Noun] wo karuku shimashita.
Translate: 'Let's lighten the luggage.'
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Use the volitional form shimashou.
Use the volitional form shimashou.
Translate: 'The judge lightened the sentence.'
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Legal context: Kei wo karuku shita.
Legal context: Kei wo karuku shita.
Write a sentence using 'karuku suru' and 'futan'.
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I washed the dishes to lighten my mother's burden.
I washed the dishes to lighten my mother's burden.
Write a sentence using 'karuku suru' and 'appuri'.
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Please tell me how to make this app lighter.
Please tell me how to make this app lighter.
Translate: 'I thinned my hair at the salon.'
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Kami wo karuku suru is the standard phrase for thinning hair.
Kami wo karuku suru is the standard phrase for thinning hair.
Translate: 'He lightened the mood with a joke.'
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Kuuki wo karuku suru means to lighten the mood.
Kuuki wo karuku suru means to lighten the mood.
Write the negative form: 'I don't make it light.'
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Negative form of suru.
Negative form of suru.
Translate: 'I must lighten the server load.'
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Must do: ~shinakereba naranai.
Must do: ~shinakereba naranai.
Translate: 'I tried to make the box lighter.'
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Tried to do: volitional + to shita.
Tried to do: volitional + to shita.
Write a sentence using 'karuku suru' and 'nimotsu'.
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I will make the travel luggage as light as possible.
I will make the travel luggage as light as possible.
Translate: 'I can make the file lighter.'
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Can do: koto ga dekiru.
Can do: koto ga dekiru.
Translate: 'It's better to lighten the training.'
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Better to do: ~shita hou ga ii.
Better to do: ~shita hou ga ii.
Translate: 'I made the color lighter.'
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Iro wo karuku suru.
Iro wo karuku suru.
Translate: 'I lightened the work to save time.'
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Tame ni shows purpose.
Tame ni shows purpose.
Write the potential form: 'Can lighten'.
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Potential of suru is dekiru.
Potential of suru is dekiru.
Translate: 'I want to lighten my heart.'
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Metaphorical use for emotional relief.
Metaphorical use for emotional relief.
Translate: 'I lightened the soup with water.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Cooking context.
Cooking context.
Say: 'Please make it lighter.'
Read this aloud:
Você disse:
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Practice the request form.
Say: 'I want to lighten the burden.'
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Practice expressing desire.
Say: 'I made the file smaller.'
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Practice past tense.
Say: 'Let's lighten the luggage.'
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Practice volitional form.
Say: 'My heart became lighter.'
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Practice the intransitive form.
Say: 'Is there a way to make it lighter?'
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Practice asking for methods.
Say: 'The software is light.'
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Practice the adjective form.
Say: 'I'll thin my hair.'
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Practice future intention.
Say: 'Don't make it too heavy.'
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Practice the opposite negative request.
Say: 'He is a gossip.'
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Practice the idiom.
Say: 'I'm trying to lighten it.'
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Practice continuous effort.
Say: 'I must lighten the task.'
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Practice obligation.
Say: 'I'll make it light and fast.'
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Practice combining two adjectives.
Say: 'It became light after cleaning.'
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Practice conditional + result.
Say: 'Please lighten the penalty.'
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Practice formal request.
Listen and identify: 荷物を軽くする。
Focus on 'nimotsu' and 'karuku suru'.
Listen and identify: 負担を軽減する。
Focus on the synonym 'keigen'.
Listen and identify: 口が軽いね。
Focus on the idiomatic use.
Listen and identify: 髪を軽くしたい。
Focus on 'kami' and 'shitai'.
Listen and identify: 動作を軽くした。
Focus on tech context.
Listen and identify: 心が軽くなった。
Focus on 'kokoro' and 'naru'.
Listen and identify: 軽くしましょうか?
Focus on the offer form '~mashou ka'.
Listen and identify: 軽くしすぎないで。
Focus on '~shisugiru' + negative.
Listen and identify: 刑を軽くした。
Focus on 'kei'.
Listen and identify: 軽くできるよ。
Focus on potential 'dekiru'.
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The phrase 軽くする (karuku suru) is your go-to expression for 'lightening' or 'easing' anything from a heavy suitcase to a stressful job. Remember to change the 'i' to 'ku' when turning the adjective 'karui' into this active verb form. Example: 荷物を軽くする (To make the luggage lighter).
- Used to describe making objects weigh less or reducing the difficulty and stress of a situation or task.
- Combines 'karui' (light) and 'suru' (to make), following the standard adjective-to-verb conversion pattern in Japanese.
- Commonly applied to physical weight, hair volume, digital data, psychological burdens, and legal penalties like sentences.
- Essential for B1 learners to master both its literal and metaphorical meanings in daily and professional life.
Hair Salon Secret
If you want to reduce volume without changing length, 'karuku suru' is the magic phrase. It tells the stylist to use thinning shears.
Adjective to Verb
This pattern works for all i-adjectives. Replace the final 'i' with 'ku' and add 'suru' to mean 'to make it [adjective]'.
Easing Minds
Using 'kokoro wo karuku suru' is a very kind way to talk about helping someone through a tough time. It’s common in self-help and counseling.
Speed Up Your PC
When your computer is slow, search for 'PC wo karuku suru houhou' in Japanese to find many optimization tips.
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しばらく
B1Por um tempo, por algum tempo.
異変がある
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異常な
B1Anormal; incomum. Descreve algo que se desvia da norma de forma preocupante.
擦り傷
B1Um arranhão ou esfoliação na pele. Geralmente causado por fricção contra uma superfície áspera após uma queda.
吸収する
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禁酒
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痛む
A2to hurt; to ache
鍼灸
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急性的
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急性な
B1Acute