“To strain” in Japanese
Short answer
To strain in Japanese is “力む” (rikimu). Full meaning: to strain (oneself), to bear down, to exert oneself, to try (too) hard, to draw one's body taut; to put on a bold front, to make a show of strength, to swagger, to bluff, to boast.
Other ways to say “To strain” in Japanese
息む
ikimu to strain (one's stomach), to bear down (during childbirth), to push down
息張る
ikibaru to strain, to bear down (in giving birth)
欹てる
sobadateru to strain (one's ears, eyes), to prick up (one's ears)
張り詰める
haritsumeru to strain, to stretch, to string up, to make tense; to cover over (e.g. with tiles, ice, etc.)
漉す
kosu to filter, to strain
こじ付ける
kojitsukeru to distort, to strain (an interpretation), to stretch (meaning of a word)
りきむ
rikimu to strain (oneself), to bear down, to exert oneself, to try (too) hard, to draw one's body taut; to put on a bold front, to make a show of strength, to swagger, to bluff, to boast
息める
ikimeru to strain (one's stomach), to bear down (during childbirth), to push down
敧てる
sobadateru to strain (one's ears, eyes), to prick up (one's ears)
いきめる
ikimeru to strain (one's stomach), to bear down (during childbirth), to push down
貼詰める
haritsumeru to strain, to stretch, to string up, to make tense; to cover over (e.g. with tiles, ice, etc.)
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