占める (Shimeru) is a Japanese ichidan verb meaning “to account for, to make up, to take up, to occupy (a place, position, etc.)”.
Meanings
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto account for; to make up; to take up
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto occupy (a place, position, etc.); to hold (a rank, seat, etc.)
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto occupy (one's mind, heart, etc.); to weigh (on one's mind); to grip (e.g. one's heart)
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto gain; to secure; to obtain; to win
Examples
漁夫の利を占める。
A third party makes off with the profits.
他の物が漁夫の利を占める。
Someone else profits from the situation.
慎重は勇気の大半を占める。
Discretion is the better part of valor.
Sentences from Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR).