澄んだ en 30 segundos
- Used for natural clarity like air, water, and sky.
- Describes pure sounds and high-quality voices.
- Metaphorically refers to honest eyes and a pure heart.
- Derived from the verb 'sumu' (to become clear).
The Japanese word 澄んだ (sunda) is a beautiful and evocative adjective that describes a state of clarity, purity, and transparency. While it is technically the past or perfective form of the verb 澄む (sumu), which means 'to become clear' or 'to settle,' in daily Japanese, it functions almost exclusively as a pre-nominal adjective to describe things that are free from impurities, noise, or cloudiness. When you use sunda, you aren't just saying something is 'clear' in a scientific sense; you are often imparting a sense of refreshing beauty and tranquility. It is a word deeply rooted in the Japanese aesthetic of purity (seijaku) and the appreciation of nature's untouched states.
- Physical Clarity
- Used to describe water in a mountain stream or the air after a rainstorm. It implies that all sediment or dust has settled, leaving only the essence of the medium.
- Auditory Purity
- Applied to sounds, such as a flute's note or a person's singing voice, indicating a lack of raspiness or distortion. It sounds 'crystal clear' to the ear.
- Metaphorical Purity
- Often used to describe a person's eyes (瞳 - hitomi) or heart (心 - kokoro), suggesting honesty, innocence, or a lack of deceitful intent.
In Japanese culture, the concept of sunda is often contrasted with 濁った (nigotta), which means muddy or cloudy. This duality is central to Shinto beliefs regarding kegare (impurity) and harae (purification). When a Japanese person describes the sky as sunda sora, they are expressing a feeling of spiritual refreshment, not just a weather observation. You will find this word frequently in literature, song lyrics, and travel brochures describing the pristine nature of the Japanese countryside.
山の上では、空気がとても澄んだように感じます。(At the top of the mountain, the air feels very clear.)
Historically, the verb sumu appears in the Man'yoshu (the oldest collection of Japanese poetry), where it was used to describe the moon and water. This long history has imbued the word with a sense of classical elegance. Unlike the more modern and technical term 透明 (toumei), which simply means 'transparent' (like glass), sunda carries an emotional weight of serenity and life. It is the difference between a clear plastic sheet and the clear water of a sacred spring.
彼女の澄んだ瞳に見つめられると、嘘はつけない。(When stared at by her clear eyes, I cannot tell a lie.)
Furthermore, the word is often used in compound expressions and poetic descriptions. For instance, 澄み渡る (sumiwataru) means 'to clear up completely' (referring to the sky), while 澄まし顔 (sumashigao) refers to a straight, composed face. Understanding sunda is key to grasping the Japanese appreciation for the 'uncluttered'—whether that be in nature, sound, or human character.
Using 澄んだ (sunda) correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role as a modifier and its specific semantic range. Since it is the past form of the verb sumu, it is most commonly placed directly before a noun to describe a state. However, it can also be used at the end of a sentence when modified by auxiliary verbs or in specific poetic structures. Let's look at the primary categories of its usage.
- Category 1: Environmental Description
- This is the most frequent use. It describes air (空気), the sky (空), or water (水). It emphasizes the absence of smog, clouds, or dirt.
- Category 2: Sensory Perception
- This describes sounds (音), voices (声), or musical notes (音色). It suggests a high-quality, resonant, and pure sound that is pleasing to the ear.
- Category 3: Human Characteristics
- This describes eyes (瞳/目) or the heart/spirit (心). It implies a sense of innocence, sincerity, or intellectual clarity.
冬の朝の澄んだ空気は、身が引き締まる思いがする。(The clear air of a winter morning makes me feel refreshed and sharp.)
One important grammatical nuance is the difference between 澄んでいる (sunde iru) and 澄んだ (sunda). Sunde iru is the continuous state (it is clear), while sunda is the attributive form (the clear...). When you want to say 'The water is clear,' you would say 水が澄んでいる (Mizu ga sunde iru). When you want to say 'The clear water,' you would say 澄んだ水 (Sunda mizu). While both are common, sunda feels slightly more literary and descriptive.
彼は澄んだ声で歌い始めた。(He began to sing with a clear voice.)
In more advanced contexts, you might see sunda used to describe a mental state. A 澄んだ心 (sunda kokoro) is a mind free of distraction or malicious intent. This is a common trope in martial arts or meditation contexts, where 'clearing the mind' is the ultimate goal. The word evokes a sense of stillness, like the surface of a pond that has finally stopped rippling, allowing you to see all the way to the bottom.
秋の夜空には、澄んだ月が輝いている。(In the autumn night sky, a clear moon is shining.)
You will encounter 澄んだ (sunda) across a wide variety of Japanese media, ranging from everyday conversations to high-brow literature. Its usage is particularly concentrated in contexts where atmosphere and emotion are being conveyed. Here are the most common places you will hear or see this word.
- Nature Documentaries and Travel Shows
- Narrators often use sunda to describe the pristine environments of Hokkaido or the clear waters of Okinawa. It emphasizes the 'unspoiled' nature of the location.
- Anime and Manga
- Character descriptions frequently use sunda hitomi (clear eyes) to signal that a character is protagonist-coded, honest, or possesses some supernatural purity. It is a visual and linguistic shorthand for 'goodness.'
- Lyrics and Poetry
- J-Pop lyrics are full of sunda. Whether it's a 'clear sky' representing a new beginning or a 'clear voice' echoing through the night, the word adds a layer of romanticism and clarity to the imagery.
「この湖の水は本当に澄んでいますね。」(The water in this lake is truly clear, isn't it?)
In daily life, Japanese people use sunda when they are genuinely impressed by the quality of the environment. If you go hiking and the air is crisp, saying 「空気が澄んでいますね」(Kuuki ga sunde imasu ne) is a perfect way to bond with your companions. It is more sophisticated than simply saying 'the weather is good.' It acknowledges the specific sensory quality of the air.
You might also hear it in a professional context, specifically in the arts. A music teacher might tell a student to aim for a 澄んだ音色 (sunda neiro), meaning a tone that is pure and lacks any 'fuzziness' or technical errors. In this sense, it is a goal for mastery—reaching a state where the medium (sound) is perfectly clear.
都会を離れて、澄んだ星空を眺めたい。(I want to leave the city and gaze at the clear, starry sky.)
Finally, in literature, sunda is used to set a mood of stillness. Authors like Natsume Soseki or Haruki Murakami use the word to describe moments of quiet realization or the physical environment of a character who is seeking truth. It creates a 'quiet' atmosphere in the reader's mind.
While 澄んだ (sunda) is a versatile word, English speakers often make mistakes by over-extending its meaning or confusing it with similar-sounding or similar-meaning words. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker.
- Mistake 1: Using it for Glass or Objects
- You cannot say sunda mado (clear window). Sunda implies a liquid or gas that has settled or a sound/heart that is pure. For inanimate objects like glass, plastic, or diamonds, use 透明な (toumei na).
- Mistake 2: Confusing it with 'Bright' (Akarui)
- English speakers might say 'clear' when they mean 'sunny' or 'bright.' If the sun is shining brightly, use 明るい (akarui) or 晴れた (hareta). Sunda specifically refers to the quality of the medium (air/sky), not the amount of light.
- Mistake 3: Confusing it with 'Clean' (Kirei)
- While something sunda is often kirei, they are not interchangeable. Kirei can mean beautiful or tidy (like a clean room). Sunda cannot be used to describe a tidy room; it only describes the clarity of a substance or sound.
❌ このメガネは澄んでいます。
✅ このメガネは透明です / きれいです。
(Mistake: Using 'sunda' for glasses.)
Another common error is related to the verb form. Because sunda looks like a past tense verb, learners sometimes think it means 'it was clear but isn't anymore.' However, in Japanese, the past form of certain verbs (state-change verbs) is used to describe the *current* state resulting from that change. So, 澄んだ空 (sunda sora) means 'the sky that has become clear' (and thus is currently clear). If you want to say 'the sky was clear yesterday,' you would say 昨日は空が澄んでいた (Kinou wa sora ga sunde ita).
Lastly, be careful with the word 住んだ (sunda). While spelled the same in romaji, it comes from the verb sumu (to live/reside) and uses a different kanji (住). In spoken Japanese, the pitch accent is different, but in writing, the kanji 澄 clearly distinguishes 'clear' from 'lived.' Always check your kanji when writing!
❌ 東京に澄んでいます。
✅ 東京に住んでいます。
(Mistake: Confusing 'to live' with 'to be clear'.)
To truly master the nuance of 澄んだ (sunda), it is helpful to compare it with other Japanese words that translate to 'clear,' 'pure,' or 'clean.' Each of these has a specific domain where it is most appropriate.
- 透明な (Toumei na)
- This is a scientific or objective term for transparency. It means light can pass through it. Use this for glass, plastic, or a 'transparent' organization. It lacks the poetic or emotional depth of sunda.
- 清らかな (Kiyorakana)
- This means 'pure' or 'holy.' It is often used in religious or highly formal contexts. While sunda describes physical clarity that feels pure, kiyorakana describes a moral or spiritual purity that is almost sacred.
- さわやかな (Sawayakana)
- This means 'refreshing.' While clear air (sunda kuuki) is often refreshing (sawayaka), sawayaka focuses on the feeling it gives you, whereas sunda focuses on the visual/physical state of the air itself.
- 晴天 (Seiten)
- A noun meaning 'clear weather' or 'blue sky.' This is a factual description of the weather. Sunda sora is more about the quality of the blue and the absence of haze.
Comparison:
1. 澄んだ水 (Sunda mizu): Water that looks pure and settled.
2. 透明な水 (Toumei na mizu): Water that you can see through (objective).
3. 清らかな水 (Kiyorakana mizu): Holy or spiritually pure water.
When choosing between these, consider your intent. If you want to describe the beauty of nature or the sincerity of a person, sunda is usually the best choice. If you are describing a product (like a clear phone case), toumei is the only option. If you are describing a refreshing breeze, sawayaka is better.
In literary Japanese, you might also encounter 清冽な (seiretsu na), which means 'crystal clear and cold,' usually describing mountain springs. This is a more advanced version of sunda that adds the element of temperature. Similarly, 明鏡止水 (meikyou shisui) is a four-character idiom (yojijukugo) meaning 'a mind as clear as a polished mirror and still water,' which uses the concept of sunda to describe perfect mental clarity.
How Formal Is It?
Dato curioso
The word 'sumu' (to become clear) is phonetically identical to 'sumu' (to live) and 'sumu' (to finish), leading to many puns in classical literature.
Guía de pronunciación
- Pronouncing 'su' like the English 'su' in 'super' (too long).
- Confusing the pitch with 'sunda' (lived), which is often 'Low-High-Low'.
- Nasalizing the 'n' too much like an English 'ng'.
- Making the 'da' sound too explosive.
- Using an English 'r' sound if they misread it as 'surunda'.
Nivel de dificultad
The kanji is N2 level, but the word is common in speech and literature.
The kanji 澄 is somewhat complex to write correctly from memory.
Easy to pronounce, but must be careful with pitch accent to avoid 'lived'.
Commonly heard in nature-related contexts and songs.
Qué aprender después
Requisitos previos
Aprende después
Avanzado
Gramática que debes saber
Past form as a state-descriptive adjective
澄んだ空 (The sky that is clear / The clear sky)
Te-form for describing current state
空が澄んでいる (The sky is clear)
Attributive vs. Predicative usage
澄んだ水 (Attributive) vs. 水が澄んでいる (Predicative)
Verb compounds with ~wataru
空が澄み渡る (The sky clears up across the whole expanse)
Verb compounds with ~kiru
澄み切った水 (Perfectly clear water)
Ejemplos por nivel
澄んだ水ですね。
It's clear water, isn't it?
Sunda modifies the noun mizu (water).
澄んだ空が見えます。
I can see a clear sky.
Sunda describes the state of the sky.
ここは空気が澄んでいます。
The air is clear here.
Sunde-imasu is the present state form.
澄んだ目をした猫です。
It's a cat with clear eyes.
Sunda describes the cat's eyes.
山の上は澄んだ空気です。
On top of the mountain, the air is clear.
Simple noun modification.
澄んだ青い海です。
It's a clear blue sea.
Sunda and aoi both modify umi (sea).
澄んだ声で歌います。
Sing with a clear voice.
Sunda describes the quality of the voice.
秋の澄んだ月です。
It's the clear moon of autumn.
Sunda describes the moon.
雨の後は空気が澄んでいて気持ちいいです。
The air is clear and feels good after the rain.
Sunde-ite is the te-form, connecting two states.
彼女はとても澄んだ瞳をしています。
She has very clear eyes.
Hitomi is a more poetic word for eyes (me).
澄んだ川で魚が泳いでいます。
Fish are swimming in the clear river.
Sunda modifies kawa (river).
冬の朝は、いつもより空が澄んで見えます。
In winter mornings, the sky looks clearer than usual.
Sunde-miemasu means 'looks clear'.
澄んだ音色のベルが鳴りました。
A bell with a clear tone rang.
Neiro means 'tone' or 'sound color'.
澄んだ心で毎日を過ごしたいです。
I want to spend every day with a clear heart.
Sunda kokoro is a metaphorical use for 'pure heart'.
このお酒は澄んだ色をしていますね。
This sake has a clear color, doesn't it?
Used to describe the visual clarity of a liquid.
遠くの山まで澄んで見えます。
You can see clearly all the way to the distant mountains.
Sunde-miemasu indicates high visibility.
澄んだ空気の中で深呼吸をすると、疲れが取れます。
Taking a deep breath in the clear air relieves fatigue.
Sunda kuuki no naka de (Inside the clear air).
彼の澄んだ声は、聴く人の心を癒やします。
His clear voice heals the hearts of those who listen.
Metaphorical use of 'healing' with 'clear voice'.
都会ではなかなか澄んだ星空を見ることができません。
In the city, it's hard to see a clear, starry sky.
Sunda hoshizora is a common phrase for a starry sky.
澄んだ泉のほとりで、しばらく休みました。
I rested for a while by the side of a clear spring.
Izumi (spring) is a natural noun often paired with sunda.
子供のような澄んだ瞳を失いたくないものです。
I don't want to lose those clear eyes like a child's.
Kodomo no you na (like a child) modifies sunda hitomi.
フルートの澄んだ音が部屋中に響き渡った。
The clear sound of the flute echoed throughout the room.
Hibiki-wataru means 'to echo/resound throughout'.
澄んだ秋の空に、赤とんぼが飛んでいる。
Red dragonflies are flying in the clear autumn sky.
Sunda aki no sora (Clear autumn sky).
その少年は、澄んだ心で真実を語った。
The boy told the truth with a clear heart.
Implies sincerity and lack of corruption.
高地の澄んだ空気は、天体観測に最適です。
The clear air of high altitudes is ideal for astronomical observation.
Saiteki means 'optimal' or 'best suited'.
彼女の澄んだ歌声は、会場全体を魅了した。
Her clear singing voice captivated the entire venue.
Miryou-shita means 'captivated' or 'charmed'.
澄んだ湖面に、周囲の山々が鏡のように映っている。
The surrounding mountains are reflected like a mirror on the clear lake surface.
Kagami no you ni (like a mirror).
雑念を払い、澄んだ心で試合に臨む。
I will clear my mind of distractions and face the match with a clear heart.
Zatsunen o harau (to brush away distractions).
このバイオリンは、驚くほど澄んだ音色を奏でる。
This violin produces an amazingly clear tone.
Kanaderu is the verb for playing a musical instrument.
冬の夜、澄み渡った空にオリオン座が輝いている。
On a winter night, Orion shines in the completely clear sky.
Sumi-watatta is an intensified form of sunda.
彼の澄んだ瞳には、一点の曇りもなかった。
In his clear eyes, there wasn't a single speck of cloudiness (deceit).
Itten no kumori mo nai (Not even a speck of cloudiness).
澄んだ湧き水で淹れたお茶は、格別の味がする。
Tea brewed with clear spring water has an exceptional taste.
Wakimizu (spring water) and kakubetsu (exceptional).
その詩人は、澄んだ言葉を用いて自然の美しさを謳い上げた。
The poet praised the beauty of nature using clear, pure language.
Sunda kotoba refers to language that is simple and direct.
朝露に濡れた草花が、澄んだ光を浴びて輝いている。
The flowers and grasses wet with morning dew are shining in the clear light.
Sunda hikari (clear light) describes the crisp morning sun.
厳しい修行の末、彼は澄んだ境地に達した。
After rigorous training, he reached a clear state of mind/spiritual level.
Kyouchi refers to a state of mind or spiritual realm.
彼女の澄んだ知性は、複雑な問題を一瞬で解き明かした。
Her clear intellect solved the complex problem in an instant.
Metaphorical use for sharp, unbiased intellect.
澄んだ空気感を持つ彼の演技は、観客の心に深く残った。
His acting, which had a sense of clarity/purity, left a deep impression on the audience.
Kuukikan (atmosphere/vibe) being described as sunda.
北国の冬の夜、澄み切った大気にオーロラが舞う。
In the winter nights of the north, the aurora dances in the crystal-clear atmosphere.
Sumi-kitta is a very strong form of clarity.
その建築家は、澄んだ空間美を追求し続けている。
The architect continues to pursue the beauty of clear, uncluttered space.
Kuukan-bi (spatial beauty).
澄んだ笛の音が、静寂な森の奥へと吸い込まれていった。
The clear sound of the flute was absorbed into the depths of the silent forest.
Suikomareru (to be sucked in/absorbed).
明鏡止水の如く、澄んだ心持ちで最期の時を迎えた。
Like a clear mirror and still water, he faced his final moments with a clear heart.
Meikyou shisui is a high-level idiom for mental clarity.
その古筆には、澄んだ墨の色が今なお鮮やかに残っている。
In that ancient calligraphy, the clear color of the ink still remains vividly today.
Sunda sumi no iro refers to high-quality, non-muddy ink.
作者の澄んだ感性が、日常の何気ない風景を芸術へと昇華させている。
The author's clear sensitivity sublimates ordinary everyday scenes into art.
Shouka-saseru (to sublimate/elevate).
澄んだ静寂が支配する堂内で、一筋の光が仏像を照らしていた。
Inside the hall dominated by a clear silence, a single ray of light illuminated the Buddha statue.
Sunda seijaku (clear silence) is a poetic oxymoron.
一分の濁りもない、澄み渡った論理展開に圧倒された。
I was overwhelmed by the completely clear logical progression, without a single bit of muddiness.
Ichibu no nigori mo nai (Without a fraction of muddiness).
その聖域に足を踏み入れると、澄んだ霊気に身が洗われるようだった。
Stepping into that sanctuary, it felt as if my body was being washed by the clear spiritual aura.
Reiki (spiritual aura/energy).
澄んだ水鏡のごとき湖に、己の醜い心が映し出されるようだった。
In the lake, like a clear water-mirror, it felt as if my own ugly heart was being reflected.
Mizukagami (water mirror) is a classic literary term.
万葉の昔から、日本人は澄んだ月を愛で、歌に託してきた。
Since the ancient times of the Man'yoshu, Japanese people have admired the clear moon and expressed it in poems.
Aederu (to admire/appreciate beauty).
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
— The air is clear. Often said in winter or in nature.
今日は空気が澄んでいて、富士山がよく見える。
— To have clear/honest eyes. Implies a person is sincere.
彼の目はいつも澄んでいる。
— A clear resonance. Used for high-quality audio or bells.
教会の鐘が澄んだ響きを立てた。
— A clear liquid. Used in science or cooking.
試験管の中に澄んだ液体が入っている。
— A clear night sky. Perfect for stargazing.
澄んだ夜空に流れ星が見えた。
— A clear gaze. Similar to 'clear eyes' but more focused on the look.
彼女の澄んだまなざしに圧倒された。
— A clear water surface. Implies a mirror-like quality.
澄んだ水面に月が映っている。
— A clear soup (like consommé or clear dashi).
このラーメンは澄んだスープが特徴だ。
— A clear spirit/mind. Used in martial arts or philosophy.
澄んだ精神で困難に立ち向かう。
— A clear blue color. Describes the sky or gems.
澄んだ青が印象的な絵画だ。
Se confunde a menudo con
Past tense of 'to live.' Written with 住. Different pitch accent.
Past tense of 'to finish/be over.' Written with 済. Used for tasks or events.
Past tense of 'to print' or 'to rub.' Sounds slightly similar to beginners.
Modismos y expresiones
— A mind as clear as a mirror and still as water. Total mental clarity.
彼は明鏡止水の心境で試合に臨んだ。
Literary/Formal— A straight face; a composed or indifferent look. Sometimes implies acting cool.
彼は失敗したのに、澄ました顔をしている。
Neutral— To strain one's ears; to listen carefully to catch a faint sound.
遠くの音を聞こうと、耳を澄ました。
Neutral— To clear one's mind; to achieve a state of inner peace and focus.
静かな部屋で心を澄まして考えた。
Literary— To clear up completely (usually the sky).
台風が去って、空が澄み渡った。
Neutral— To be perfectly clear; to have no impurities whatsoever.
澄み切った大空が広がっている。
Neutral— A clear Japanese soup made with dashi and soy sauce.
お正月に澄まし汁を作った。
Neutral— To look carefully; to focus one's eyes to see something clearly.
暗闇の中で目を澄まして道を探した。
Neutral— To look very composed or affectedly cool.
彼女は澄まし込んでピアノを弾いている。
Rare/Old-fashioned— A clear flow. Used for streams or metaphorically for a clear progression.
川の澄んだ流れを見ていると落ち着く。
PoeticFácil de confundir
Both translate to 'clear'.
Toumei is for physical transparency (glass, plastic). Sunda is for settled purity (air, water, heart).
透明なコップ (Transparent cup) vs 澄んだ水 (Clear water).
Both describe something positive and visually pleasing.
Kirei is broad (pretty, clean, tidy). Sunda is specific to clarity and lack of turbidity.
きれいな部屋 (Clean room) - You cannot use 'sunda' here.
Clear weather is often bright.
Akarui refers to the amount of light. Sunda refers to the lack of haze/smog.
明るい部屋 (Bright room) vs 澄んだ空 (Clear sky).
Both mean 'pure'.
Kiyorakana is more formal and spiritual. Sunda is more sensory and natural.
清らかなお祈り (A pure prayer) vs 澄んだ声 (A clear voice).
Clear air is often refreshing.
Sawayakana focuses on the feeling of refreshment. Sunda focuses on the visual clarity.
さわやかな風 (Refreshing breeze) vs 澄んだ空気 (Clear air).
Patrones de oraciones
[Noun] が 澄んでいます。
水が澄んでいます。
澄んだ [Noun] ですね。
澄んだ空ですね。
澄んだ [Noun] を [Verb]。
澄んだ空気を吸う。
[Noun] は 澄んだ 瞳を している。
彼は澄んだ瞳をしている。
[Noun] は 澄み渡っている。
夜空は澄み渡っている。
澄んだ [Noun] が 響く。
澄んだ音色が響く。
澄み切った [Noun] の 中で...
澄み切った大気の中で星を見る。
澄んだ [Noun] の ごとき [Noun]。
澄んだ水鏡のごとき湖。
Familia de palabras
Sustantivos
Verbos
Adjetivos
Relacionado
Cómo usarlo
Common in descriptive language, literature, and songs; moderate in daily casual conversation.
-
Using 'sunda' for glass windows.
→
透明な窓 (Toumei na mado)
Sunda is for substances like air/water or senses, not hard objects like glass.
-
Using 'sunda' to mean 'finished'.
→
済んだ (Sunda - written with 済)
These are homophones. 'Sunda' (clear) must use the 澄 kanji.
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Confusing 'sunda' (clear) with 'akarui' (bright).
→
明るい部屋 (Akarui heya)
A room can be bright but not 'sunda.' Sunda refers to the quality of the air or water.
-
Using 'sunda' for a clean, tidy room.
→
きれいな部屋 (Kirei na heya)
Sunda is not about tidiness; it's about transparency and purity of a medium.
-
Saying 'Tokyo ni sunde-imasu' with the 澄 kanji.
→
東京に住んでいます (住 - to live)
This is a common kanji error. Always use 住 for living and 澄 for clarity.
Consejos
Think of Water
The best way to remember 'sunda' is to think of a mountain stream. If the water is so clear you can see the pebbles, it is 'sunda'.
Past Tense State
Remember that 'sunda' is the past form but describes a current state. It's like saying 'it has become clear, so it is clear now'.
Seasonal Use
Use 'sunda' more often in autumn and winter contexts. Japanese people associate these seasons with clarity.
Voice Compliments
If you want to compliment a singer's voice as being pure and beautiful, say 'Sunda koe desu ne'.
Water Radical
Notice the three dots on the left (氵). They represent water, which is the primary thing 'sunda' describes.
Beyond Transparent
Don't just use it for 'see-through.' Use it when something feels 'pure' or 'refreshing'.
Listen Closely
Learn 'mimi o sumasu' (to listen carefully). It uses the same root and is very common.
Literary Flair
Using 'sunda' instead of 'kirei' in your essays will make your Japanese sound more advanced and descriptive.
No Glass!
Never use 'sunda' for windows or glasses. It sounds very strange to native speakers.
Total Clarity
Use 'sumiwataru' when the entire sky is blue and clear without a single cloud.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Think of 'Sun' + 'Da'. When the SUN comes out, the sky is clear (DA!).
Asociación visual
Imagine a glass of muddy water where the mud sinks to the bottom, leaving crystal clear water on top. That top part is 'sunda'.
Word Web
Desafío
Try to find three things in your current environment that could be described as 'sunda'. Is the water in your glass sunda? Is the air sunda? Is your mind sunda?
Origen de la palabra
Derived from the Old Japanese verb 'sumu.' The kanji 澄 consists of the water radical (氵) and the phonetic 'chou' (登), which suggests rising or settling.
Significado original: To settle; for sediment in water to sink to the bottom, leaving the top clear.
JaponicContexto cultural
No specific sensitivities, but using 'sunda' to describe a person's eyes or heart is a high compliment, implying they are untainted and honest.
English speakers often use 'clear' for glass, which Japanese doesn't do with 'sunda.' English also uses 'clear' for understanding, which Japanese expresses with 'wakaru' or 'meiryou.'
Practica en la vida real
Contextos reales
Hiking or Nature Trip
- 空気が澄んでいる
- 澄んだ川
- 澄んだ景色
- 遠くまで澄んで見える
Music or Performance
- 澄んだ声
- 澄んだ音色
- 澄んだ響き
- 音を澄ませる
Describing People
- 澄んだ瞳
- 澄んだ心
- 澄んだまなざし
- 澄ました顔
Weather/Stargazing
- 澄んだ夜空
- 澄んだ月
- 澄み渡る空
- 澄み切った大気
Food and Drink
- 澄んだスープ
- 澄んだお酒
- 澄まし汁
- 澄んだ水
Inicios de conversación
"「今日は空が澄んでいて、遠くの山まで見えますね。」 (The sky is clear today, and you can see the distant mountains.)"
"「この辺りは空気が澄んでいて、気持ちがいいですね。」 (The air around here is clear and feels great.)"
"「彼女の澄んだ歌声、聴いたことがありますか？」 (Have you ever heard her clear singing voice?)"
"「どうすれば、あんなに澄んだ瞳でいられるんでしょうね。」 (I wonder how one can keep such clear eyes.)"
"「冬の夜は星が澄んで見えますが、寒くないですか？」 (The stars look clear on winter nights, but aren't you cold?)"
Temas para diario
山に登って、澄んだ空気を吸った時の気持ちを書いてください。 (Write about how you felt breathing clear air on a mountain.)
最近、心が澄んだと感じた瞬間はいつですか？ (When was a recent moment you felt your heart was clear?)
あなたが知っている「澄んだ声」の持ち主について説明してください。 (Describe someone you know who has a 'clear voice'.)
都会の空気と、田舎の澄んだ空気の違いについてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about the difference between city air and clear country air?)
「澄んだ瞳」を持つ人は、どのような性格だと思いますか？ (What kind of personality do you think a person with 'clear eyes' has?)
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, you should use 'toumei na' (透明な) for glass. 'Sunda' is used for things that are naturally clear or have become clear by settling, like water, air, or a voice.
Grammatically, it is the past form of the verb 'sumu' (澄む). However, it is used as a 'stative adjective' to describe a noun, meaning 'clear' or 'pure'.
'Sunda' is used before a noun (e.g., sunda mizu - clear water). 'Sunde iru' is used at the end of a sentence to describe a state (e.g., mizu ga sunde iru - the water is clear).
Usually, no. For a clear explanation, 'wakariyasui' (easy to understand) or 'meiryou' (clear/distinct) are better. 'Sunda' is for sensory or spiritual clarity.
Yes, 'sunda' almost always has a positive connotation of purity, beauty, and tranquility.
In writing, the kanji are different (澄 vs 住). In speaking, the context (water vs city) usually makes it obvious, and the pitch accent differs slightly.
It's rare in technical business contexts, but might be used in a speech to describe a 'clear vision' or 'pure intent' in a more poetic way.
Yes, it describes the clarity and 'sparkle' of the eyes, not the color itself. It implies the eyes look honest and bright.
Yes! Both come from the root 'sumu.' 'Sumimasen' literally means 'it doesn't end/clear,' implying that a simple apology isn't enough to clear the debt or feeling.
The most common opposite is 'nigotta' (濁った), which means muddy, cloudy, or impure.
Ponte a prueba 200 preguntas
Write 'Clear water' in Japanese.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'The air is clear' using 'sunde-imasu'.
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Write a sentence about a 'clear voice'.
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Describe a 'starry sky' using 'sunda'.
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Use 'sunda kokoro' in a sentence about honesty.
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Write 'Clear sky'.
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Write 'Clear eyes'.
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Write 'The water in the river is clear'.
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Write 'Listen carefully to the sound' using 'sumasu'.
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Write 'A mind as clear as a mirror' using 'meikyou shisui'.
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Translate: 'Clear air'.
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Translate: 'Clear moon'.
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Translate: 'I want to see the clear sea'.
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Translate: 'The sky cleared up completely'.
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Translate: 'She has a clear intellect'.
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Write 'Clear blue sea'.
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Write 'Clear tone'.
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Write 'Deep breath in clear air'.
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Write 'Clear soup'.
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Write 'Clear silence'.
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Say 'Clear water' in Japanese.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say 'The air is clear' in Japanese.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Describe a singer's voice as 'clear'.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say 'Listen carefully to the sound'.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say 'The sky cleared up completely'.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say 'Clear sky'.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say 'Clear eyes'.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say 'The water is clear'.
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Dijiste:
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Say 'A clear tone'.
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Dijiste:
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Say 'A clear heart'.
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Dijiste:
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Say 'Clear moon'.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say 'Clear air'.
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Dijiste:
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Say 'Starry sky'.
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Dijiste:
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Say 'Clear soup'.
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Dijiste:
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Say 'Clear intellect'.
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Dijiste:
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Say 'Blue sea'.
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Dijiste:
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Say 'Clear sound'.
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Say 'Clear gaze'.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say 'Composed face'.
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Dijiste:
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Say 'Clear silence'.
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Dijiste:
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Listen and identify: 'Sunda mizu'.
Listen and identify: 'Kuuki ga sunde iru'.
Listen and identify: 'Sunda koe'.
Listen and identify: 'Mimi o sumasu'.
Listen and identify: 'Sumi-wataru'.
Listen and identify: 'Sunda sora'.
Listen and identify: 'Sunda hitomi'.
Listen and identify: 'Sunda hoshizora'.
Listen and identify: 'Sunda neiro'.
Listen and identify: 'Sunda kokoro'.
Listen and identify: 'Sunda tsuki'.
Listen and identify: 'Sunda kuuki'.
Listen and identify: 'Sunda mizu'.
Listen and identify: 'Sumashigao'.
Listen and identify: 'Sunda seijaku'.
/ 200 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
澄んだ (sunda) is the go-to word for 'pristine clarity.' Use it when you want to emphasize that something is not just transparent, but also pure and refreshing. Example: 澄んだ空気 (Sunda kuuki - Clear, crisp air).
- Used for natural clarity like air, water, and sky.
- Describes pure sounds and high-quality voices.
- Metaphorically refers to honest eyes and a pure heart.
- Derived from the verb 'sumu' (to become clear).
Think of Water
The best way to remember 'sunda' is to think of a mountain stream. If the water is so clear you can see the pebbles, it is 'sunda'.
Past Tense State
Remember that 'sunda' is the past form but describes a current state. It's like saying 'it has become clear, so it is clear now'.
Seasonal Use
Use 'sunda' more often in autumn and winter contexts. Japanese people associate these seasons with clarity.
Voice Compliments
If you want to compliment a singer's voice as being pure and beautiful, say 'Sunda koe desu ne'.
Contenido relacionado
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