濁る
When something becomes muddy or cloudy, like water, we use the verb 濁る (nigoru).
Imagine a clear river that suddenly has lots of dirt mixed in – it 濁ります (nigoru-masu), meaning it becomes muddy.
Or if your fish tank water isn't clean anymore, it might be 濁っている (nigotte iru), meaning it is cloudy.
This word is specifically for liquids becoming unclear.
When talking about water or other liquids, 濁る (nigoru) means it becomes unclear or dirty. Imagine a clear stream suddenly getting muddy after a heavy rain – that's 濁る. It's often used when something that was once transparent or clean loses its clarity. Think of it like water turning murky or cloudy.
When discussing environmental conditions or the appearance of liquids, 濁る (nigoru) is the appropriate verb to use. It specifically describes the state of something becoming murky, cloudy, or muddy. For instance, if a river becomes polluted, or if a clear liquid gets mixed with something that makes it opaque, you would use 濁る. This term is distinct from simply being dirty; it focuses on the loss of clarity or transparency. You might also hear it in a metaphorical sense, like a voice becoming hoarse or unclear.
§ What does 濁る mean?
The Japanese verb 濁る (nigoru) is a straightforward and useful word to know. At its core, it means 'to become muddy' or 'to become cloudy', almost exclusively referring to liquids, especially water. Think about water that's no longer clear – that's when you'd use 濁る. It describes a change in state, from clear to unclear.
- Meaning
- To become muddy; to become cloudy (water or other liquids).
You'll often hear or read this word in contexts related to nature, like rivers or ponds. For example, if there's heavy rain, a river might become muddy. That's a perfect situation for 濁る.
大雨で川の水が濁った。(Ōame de kawa no mizu ga nigotta.)
§ When do people use 濁る?
The primary usage of 濁る is quite literal. You'll use it when describing:
- Water becoming muddy or cloudy: This is the most common use. Think about stirring up dirt in a puddle, or heavy rainfall making a lake murky.
池の水が少し濁っている。(Ike no mizu ga sukoshi nigotte iru.)
Here, 濁っている (nigotte iru) describes an ongoing state – the pond water is currently cloudy.
- Other liquids losing clarity: While water is the main subject, you might occasionally hear it for other liquids that become murky, like some types of soup or broth if they're not clear.
このスープは少し濁って見える。(Kono sūpu wa sukoshi nigotte mieru.)
It's important to note that 濁る almost always implies an undesirable change or a natural phenomenon. You wouldn't typically use it for something like milk, which is naturally opaque. It's about a loss of transparency or clarity in something that *should* be clear.
- Nuance
- Usually implies a change from clear to unclear, often in an undesirable or natural context.
While 濁る is generally used for literal murkiness, you might sometimes encounter it in a more figurative sense, though this is less common at the B1 level. For instance, someone's voice might 'become hoarse' or 'cloudy', but for now, focus on its core meaning related to liquids.
Understanding 濁る will help you describe environmental changes and natural scenes accurately in Japanese. It's a foundational verb for describing the state of liquids.
How Formal Is It?
"その川の水は産業排水によって濁ったままである。(The river water remains muddy due to industrial wastewater.)"
"雨の後は川の水が濁ることが多い。(The river water often becomes cloudy after rain.)"
"台風の後、海のさかなが見えないぐらいにごってる。(After the typhoon, the sea is so murky you can't see the fish.)"
"雨が降ると水たまりがどろんこになっちゃうね。(When it rains, puddles get muddy, don't they?)"
"あの川、マジでにごってる。魚いるのかな？(That river is seriously muddy. I wonder if there are any fish?)"
Wichtige Grammatik
Can be used with です/ます for politeness: 濁ります (nigori-masu).
川が濁ります。 (Kawa ga nigori-masu.) - The river becomes cloudy.
Can be used in the -te form for sequential actions or to connect clauses: 濁って (nigotte).
雨が降って、川が濁った。 (Ame ga futte, kawa ga nigotta.) - It rained, and the river became muddy.
Past tense form: 濁った (nigotta).
水が濁った。 (Mizu ga nigotta.) - The water became cloudy.
Potential form (rare for this verb, but possible if implying capability): 濁れる (nigoreru).
この水はすぐに濁れる。 (Kono mizu wa sugu ni nigoreru.) - This water can quickly become cloudy.
Can be used with 〜ている (〜te iru) to describe a state of being muddy/cloudy: 濁っている (nigotte iru).
池の水が濁っている。 (Ike no mizu ga nigotte iru.) - The pond water is cloudy.
Beispiele nach Niveau
雨のせいで川の水が濁った。
Due to the rain, the river water became muddy.
お風呂のお湯が少し濁っている。
The bathwater is a little cloudy.
この湖はいつも水が濁っている。
This lake always has cloudy water.
コップのジュースが濁ってしまった。
The juice in the glass became cloudy.
池の水が緑色に濁っている。
The pond water is murky green.
古い水槽の水はすぐに濁る。
Water in an old fish tank quickly becomes cloudy.
彼の声が少し濁って聞こえた。
His voice sounded a little hoarse/unclear.
(濁る can also refer to a voice becoming unclear)
洗濯機の排水が濁っていた。
The washing machine's drain water was cloudy.
雨のせいで川の水が濁っています。
Due to the rain, the river water is becoming muddy.
この池はいつも濁っていて、魚が見えません。
This pond is always cloudy, and I can't see the fish.
蛇口から出る水が少し濁っている気がする。
I feel like the water coming out of the tap is a little cloudy.
台風の後、海の透明度が濁ってしまった。
After the typhoon, the clarity of the ocean became murky.
コップの水を間違って汚してしまい、濁らせてしまった。
I accidentally dirtied the water in the glass and made it cloudy.
彼の声は、風邪のせいで少し濁っていた。
His voice was a little hoarse/unclear due to his cold.
Here, 濁る refers to a voice becoming unclear or hoarse, not physically muddy.
古いワインは、時間が経つと色が濁ることがある。
Old wine can become cloudy in color over time.
心が濁ると、正しい判断ができない。
When one's heart/mind becomes clouded, one cannot make correct judgments.
Here, 濁る is used metaphorically for a mind becoming unclear or impure.
So verwendest du es
When talking about water or other liquids, 濁る (nigoru) means it becomes unclear or murky. Think of a clear stream becoming muddy after rain. This verb can also be used for voices becoming hoarse or unclear.
A common mistake is confusing 濁る (nigoru) with 曇る (kumoru). While both relate to things becoming unclear, 曇る is typically used for things like mirrors, glasses, or the weather becoming cloudy, not for water itself. For example, you wouldn't say 水が曇る (mizu ga kumoru) for muddy water; you would use 水が濁る (mizu ga nigoru).
Tipps
濁る: Reading and Meaning
The kanji 濁 is pronounced にご.る and it means to become muddy or cloudy, especially in reference to water.
Contextual Use of 濁る
You'll often hear 濁る when talking about rivers, lakes, or even drinks that are not clear. Think of it as water losing its transparency.
Example: Muddy River
雨で川が濁っています。
(Ame de kawa ga nigotte imasu.)
The river is muddy due to the rain.
Example: Cloudy Water
この水は濁っていて飲めません。
(Kono mizu wa nigotte ite nomemasen.)
This water is cloudy and I can't drink it.
Related Verb: 澄む (sumu)
The opposite of 濁る is 澄む (sumu), which means to become clear. Learning antonyms together can be helpful.
Don't Confuse with Other Words
While 濁る specifically refers to water becoming unclear, don't confuse it with words like 曇る (kumoru), which means to become cloudy for weather or glass.
Grammar: -te imasu Form
In the example sentences, 濁っています (nigotte imasu) indicates a state or ongoing condition. The water 'is in a state of being muddy/cloudy'.
Visualizing 濁る
Imagine a clear glass of water, and then picture dirt or sediment being stirred into it. That's the essence of 濁る – it becomes opaque.
Cultural Note: Clear Water
In Japanese culture, clear water (澄んだ水 - sunda mizu) is often associated with purity and beauty. You'll find it in traditional gardens and ceremonies.
Advanced Usage: Figurative Sense
While less common at B1, 濁る can sometimes be used figuratively to describe a voice becoming hoarse or a situation becoming unclear/complicated, though this is an advanced nuance.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Imagine a river that's usually clear, but after a storm, it becomes **muddy** and **cloudy**. The word sounds a bit like 'nigoru' (니고루) which can remind you of 'no go through' – because you can't see through muddy water. So, **濁る** (nigoru) means to become muddy or cloudy.
Visuelle Assoziation
Picture a glass of water that's initially clear. Then, visualize dirt being stirred into it, making it murky and opaque. This visual directly represents 'to become muddy' or 'to become cloudy'.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Think about situations where things become unclear or murky, both literally and figuratively. For example, 'After the heavy rain, the river water **became muddy**.' (大雨の後、川の水が**濁った**。- Ōame no ato, kawa no mizu ga **nigotta**.) or 'His voice **became hoarse** from shouting.' (叫びすぎて彼の声が**濁った**。- Sakebisugite kare no koe ga **nigotta**.) Try to create your own sentences using **濁る** in different contexts.
Teste dich selbst 60 Fragen
The water is muddy.
The river water became cloudy.
This water is a little muddy.
Read this aloud:
水が濁っています。
Focus: にごっています (nigotteimasu)
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
川の水が濁った。
Focus: 濁った (nigotta)
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
この水は少し濁っている。
Focus: にごっている (nigotteiru)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Which word describes water that is not clear?
「濁る」means to become muddy or cloudy, which describes water that is not clear.
The river water became cloudy after the rain. Which verb best fits this situation?
「濁る」is the correct verb for water becoming cloudy or muddy.
Which of these sentences uses 「濁る」correctly?
「濁る」is used to describe water becoming cloudy or muddy. It's not typically used for sky, hands, or thoughts.
「濁る」can be used to describe clear water.
「濁る」means to become muddy or cloudy, which is the opposite of clear.
After a lot of rain, a river might 「濁る」.
Heavy rain can make river water muddy or cloudy, which is what 「濁る」describes.
You can use 「濁る」to talk about the sky becoming cloudy.
「濁る」is typically used for liquids, especially water, becoming muddy or cloudy. There are other words for the sky becoming cloudy.
The river water is...
Because of the rain, the visibility...
The pond water has become a little...
Read this aloud:
この水は少し濁っています。
Focus: にごっています (nigotteimasu)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
雨で川が濁った。
Focus: にごった (nigotta)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
なぜ水が濁るのですか？
Focus: にごる (nigoru)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you're at a river, and the water suddenly gets muddy. Write a short Japanese sentence describing this.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
川の水が濁った。
You see a glass of water that isn't clear. Write a Japanese sentence saying the water is cloudy.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
コップの水が濁っている。
Describe a situation where water becomes cloudy because of rain.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
雨が降って、川の水が濁った。
What happened to the lake water after the rain?
Read this passage:
雨の後、湖の水が濁りました。魚が見えません。
What happened to the lake water after the rain?
The passage says '湖の水が濁りました' (The lake water became muddy).
The passage says '湖の水が濁りました' (The lake water became muddy).
What is the speaker asking about the water?
Read this passage:
この水は少し濁っていますが、飲めますか？
What is the speaker asking about the water?
The passage asks '飲めますか？' (Can I drink it?), referring to the slightly cloudy water.
The passage asks '飲めますか？' (Can I drink it?), referring to the slightly cloudy water.
What is recommended if tap water becomes cloudy after an earthquake?
Read this passage:
地震の後、水道水が濁ることがあります。飲まないでください。
What is recommended if tap water becomes cloudy after an earthquake?
The passage says '飲まないでください' (Please don't drink it) if the tap water becomes cloudy after an earthquake.
The passage says '飲まないでください' (Please don't drink it) if the tap water becomes cloudy after an earthquake.
The river water is...
This pond is always...
Because of the rain, the river...
Read this aloud:
濁った水を飲まないでください。
Focus: にごった
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
コップのワインが少し濁っている。
Focus: にごっている
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
雨の後、湖はいつも濁る。
Focus: にごる
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you are at a river, and the water suddenly turns murky. Describe what you see using '濁る'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
川の水が急に濁って、魚が見えなくなりました。
Your tea has become cloudy because you didn't steep it properly. Write a sentence explaining this using '濁る'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
お茶をちゃんと淹れなかったので、少し濁ってしまいました。
You are making soup, and the broth has become cloudy. Describe this situation using '濁る'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
スープの出汁が濁って、きれいな色じゃなくなりました。
What happened to the pond water due to the heavy rain?
Read this passage:
昨日の大雨で、近くの池の水がすっかり濁ってしまいました。普段は魚がたくさん見えるのに、今は何も見えません。
What happened to the pond water due to the heavy rain?
The passage states '水がすっかり濁ってしまいました' which means the water became completely muddy/cloudy.
The passage states '水がすっかり濁ってしまいました' which means the water became completely muddy/cloudy.
What is the speaker's feeling about the tap water?
Read this passage:
この水道水は少し濁っているけれど、飲んでも大丈夫だと言われました。でも、やっぱりちょっと心配です。
What is the speaker's feeling about the tap water?
The passage says '飲んでも大丈夫だと言われました。でも、やっぱりちょっと心配です' which translates to 'I was told it's okay to drink. But, I'm still a little worried.'
The passage says '飲んでも大丈夫だと言われました。でも、やっぱりちょっと心配です' which translates to 'I was told it's okay to drink. But, I'm still a little worried.'
Why did the soup become cloudy?
Read this passage:
料理中にうっかり鍋の中のスープをかき混ぜすぎたら、だんだん濁ってきてしまった。失敗だ。
Why did the soup become cloudy?
The phrase 'かき混ぜすぎたら、だんだん濁ってきてしまった' indicates that over-stirring caused the soup to become cloudy.
The phrase 'かき混ぜすぎたら、だんだん濁ってきてしまった' indicates that over-stirring caused the soup to become cloudy.
This sentence describes the state of the river water being muddy. '川の' (river's) modifies '水が' (water), '濁って' (being muddy) describes the condition, and 'います' (is) indicates the continuous state.
This sentence states that the pond water became muddy after the rain. '雨の後で' (after the rain) sets the time, '池の水が' (pond's water) is the subject, and '濁った' (became muddy) is the verb.
This sentence explains that the water in the cup became muddy because mud got in. '泥が入って' (mud got in) is the reason, 'コップの水が' (cup's water) is the subject, and '濁った' (became muddy) is the verb.
川の水が___、魚が見えなくなった。
The sentence means 'The river water became muddy, and the fish became invisible.' '濁って' (nigotte) is the correct form of 濁る (nigoru - to become muddy/cloudy) to fit the context.
雨の後、プールの水が少し___いる。
The sentence means 'After the rain, the pool water is a little muddy.' '濁って' (nigotte) is the correct choice to describe the water becoming cloudy.
この温泉は少しお湯が___いるが、効果は高い。
The sentence means 'The water in this hot spring is a little cloudy, but the effect is high.' '濁って' (nigotte) is the appropriate word to describe the cloudy appearance of the hot spring water.
透明な水は「濁る」状態である。
透明な水 (tōmei na mizu - clear water) is the opposite of 濁る (nigoru - to become muddy/cloudy).
「濁る」は主に液体の状態変化を表す動詞である。
「濁る」 (nigoru) primarily describes the change in clarity of liquids, making them muddy or cloudy.
汚れた水は「濁る」ことがある。
汚れた水 (yogoreta mizu - dirty water) often becomes cloudy or muddy, which is precisely what 「濁る」 (nigoru) describes.
Write a short sentence describing a river becoming muddy after heavy rain. Use the word "濁る" (nigoru).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
大雨のせいで川の水が濁りました。
Imagine you are trying to clean a fish tank. Write a sentence explaining that the water is cloudy and needs changing, using "濁る".
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
水槽の水が濁っているので、交換する必要があります。
Describe a situation where a clear liquid unexpectedly becomes cloudy or turbid. Use "濁る" in your description.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
透明だった液体が突然濁り始めたので、驚きました。
この小川の水が抹茶のような色になっているのはなぜですか？
Read this passage:
昨日の夜から降り続いた雨のせいで、近所の小川の水はすっかり濁ってしまっていた。普段は底が見えるほど澄んでいるのだが、今日はまるで抹茶のような色をしている。
この小川の水が抹茶のような色になっているのはなぜですか？
文章に「昨日の夜から降り続いた雨のせいで、近所の小川の水はすっかり濁ってしまっていた」とあります。
文章に「昨日の夜から降り続いた雨のせいで、近所の小川の水はすっかり濁ってしまっていた」とあります。
筆者が最初に汲み上げた水の状態はどうでしたか？
Read this passage:
私は古い井戸の水を汲み上げようとしましたが、最初に出てきた水は茶色く濁っていました。しばらく汲み続けると、ようやく澄んだ水が出てきました。
筆者が最初に汲み上げた水の状態はどうでしたか？
文章に「最初に出てきた水は茶色く濁っていました」とあります。
文章に「最初に出てきた水は茶色く濁っていました」とあります。
この湧き水が濁る可能性がある原因は何ですか？
Read this passage:
この地域の湧き水は通常、非常に透明で美味しいことで有名です。しかし、最近の地滑りの影響で、一時的に湧き水が濁る可能性があります。
この湧き水が濁る可能性がある原因は何ですか？
文章に「最近の地滑りの影響で、一時的に湧き水が濁る可能性があります」とあります。
文章に「最近の地滑りの影響で、一時的に湧き水が濁る可能性があります」とあります。
川の水が雨で___。
The sentence describes the river water becoming unclear due to rain, so 濁る (to become muddy/cloudy) is the correct verb.
池の水が藻で___しまった。
Algae typically makes water cloudy, so 濁る (to become muddy/cloudy) fits the context of the pond water.
真実を隠そうとすると、話が___。
Figuratively, hiding the truth can make a story or situation unclear or complicated, much like water becoming muddy. Therefore, 濁る is used here.
彼の説明は___いて、理解しにくい。
If an explanation is difficult to understand, it implies it's unclear or confusing. 濁って is the appropriate form of 濁る for this context.
感情が___と、冷静な判断ができなくなる。
When emotions cloud one's judgment, it's often expressed as emotions '濁る' (become unclear or clouded), making it difficult to make calm decisions.
長年の恨みが彼の心を___。
In this figurative sense, long-standing resentment makes his heart '濁らす' (clouded/impure). The transitive form of 濁る, 濁らす, is used here because the resentment is actively affecting his heart.
/ 60 correct
Perfect score!
濁る: Reading and Meaning
The kanji 濁 is pronounced にご.る and it means to become muddy or cloudy, especially in reference to water.
Contextual Use of 濁る
You'll often hear 濁る when talking about rivers, lakes, or even drinks that are not clear. Think of it as water losing its transparency.
Example: Muddy River
雨で川が濁っています。
(Ame de kawa ga nigotte imasu.)
The river is muddy due to the rain.
Example: Cloudy Water
この水は濁っていて飲めません。
(Kono mizu wa nigotte ite nomemasen.)
This water is cloudy and I can't drink it.
Verwandte Inhalte
Mehr nature Wörter
～上
B1Above; on top of; up.
〜の上
A2On top of, above, upon.
豊か
B1Abundant; rich; plentiful (na-adjective).
〜に従って
B1According to, in conformity with, as (something happens).
酸性雨
B1Acid rain.
営み
B1Activity; daily life; undertaking (e.g., life's activities).
順応する
B1To adapt; to adjust; to conform.
~を背景に
B1Against the backdrop of; with...as background.
空気
A2air
大気汚染
B1Air pollution; the presence of harmful substances in the air.
