At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'mamire' yourself, but you might see it in simple stories. Think of it as a way to say 'very dirty with.' For example, if a cat falls in the mud, it is '泥まみれ' (doro-mamire). Just remember that it is for things like mud, dust, or sweat that stick to you. It's like saying 'yucky and covered in something.' You mostly see it used with 'mud' (doro) or 'dust' (hokori). Don't worry about the grammar too much; just recognize that 'Noun + mamire' means the person or object is covered in that noun.
At the A2 level, you can start using 'mamire' for common physical situations. It's a useful word when talking about cleaning or sports. If you say '汗まみれ' (ase-mamire), it means you are very sweaty after running. If you say '埃まみれ' (hokori-mamire), it means a room is very dusty and needs cleaning. Remember, it's a bit more 'intense' than just saying 'dirty.' It implies the substance is all over the surface. Grammatically, you just add it to the noun: Noun + mamire. It's almost always for something you want to wash off.
As a B1 learner, you should master the distinction between 'mamire' and 'darake.' This is a classic exam point. 'Mamire' (~まみれ) is for a surface coating of liquids or powders (mud, blood, oil, dust). 'Darake' (~だらけ) is for many separate things (mistakes, garbage, holes). You should also learn the metaphorical use of '借金まみれ' (shakkin-mamire), which means being 'covered in' or overwhelmed by debt. Use 'mamire' when you want to emphasize the messy, sticky, or unpleasant physical state of something.
At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'mamire' in more nuanced contexts, such as describing a person's reputation or a complex situation. Phrases like '疑惑まみれ' (giwaku-mamire - covered in suspicion/scandal) or '血みどろ' (a related concept) appear in literature and news. You should also understand that 'mamire' expresses the speaker's negative evaluation. If someone is '泥まみれ' (doro-mamire) while working hard, it might be respectable, but the substance itself is still considered 'dirty.' Pay attention to how it combines with verbs like 'になる' (to become) or 'で' (because of).
For C1 learners, 'mamire' becomes a tool for vivid description in writing. You can use it to create strong imagery in narratives. For example, describing an old, forgotten library as '埃まみれの記憶' (memories covered in dust) uses the word metaphorically to suggest neglect and the passage of time. You should also be aware of its etymological roots in the verb 'mamireru' (塗れる) and how it contrasts with more formal or literary expressions like '~にまみれる' used as a full verb. At this level, you should never confuse it with 'darake' or 'zukume.'
At the C2 level, you possess a native-like intuition for the 'viscosity' and 'texture' that 'mamire' implies. You understand its role in 'kegare' (impurity) discourse in Japanese culture. You can use it in high-level socio-political commentary—for instance, describing a system as '不祥事まみれ' (fushōji-mamire - smeared with scandals). You also recognize its use in classical-leaning or gritty modern literature where the physical and the moral 'stain' are intertwined. Your usage reflects an understanding that 'mamire' is not just about quantity, but about the quality of the contact between the substance and the subject.

~まみれ in 30 Seconds

  • ~まみれ (mamire) means 'covered in' or 'smeared with' a dirty substance.
  • It is used for liquids, powders, or fine particles like mud, blood, and dust.
  • It has a strong negative nuance, implying a mess that needs to be washed off.
  • Commonly used in sports, accidents, construction, and metaphorical contexts like debt.

The Japanese expression ~まみれ (mamire) is a distinctive suffix used to describe a state where someone or something is completely covered, smeared, or caked in an unpleasant or undesirable substance. This isn't just a simple 'full of' or 'covered in'; it specifically implies that a liquid, powder, or fine particulate matter is sticking to a surface, often in a messy or overwhelming way. When you use mamire, you are painting a vivid, often visceral picture of a surface being physically compromised by something like mud, blood, sweat, or dust.

Core Nuance
The substance must be physically attached to the surface. You cannot use 'mamire' for things that are just 'inside' a container or scattered around without sticking. It is almost exclusively used for negative or dirty contexts.
Visual Imagery
Think of a child coming home after playing in the rain, their clothes heavy and dark with wet earth. That is '泥まみれ' (doromamire).

彼は激しい試合の後、汗まみれになってベンチに座り込んだ。

Translation: After the intense match, he sat on the bench, drenched (smeared) in sweat.

In daily life, you will hear this word in contexts involving physical labor, sports, accidents, or neglect. It is a B1-level grammar point because while the basic meaning is simple, distinguishing it from similar suffixes like ~だらけ (darake) requires a deeper understanding of Japanese spatial and qualitative nuances. While darake refers to a high frequency or abundance of things (like mistakes on a paper), mamire refers to the physical coating of a surface.

Metaphorical Use
Beyond physical dirt, it can be used for abstract concepts like 'debts' (借金まみれ) or 'scandals' (疑惑まみれ), suggesting that the person is so deeply involved that the negativity has 'stained' their very being.

その政治家は汚職まみれの経歴を持っている。

Translation: That politician has a career smeared with corruption.

Using ~まみれ is grammatically straightforward but requires careful noun selection. It functions as a suffix that attaches directly to the end of a noun. The resulting compound noun can then be used with particles like , , or になって.

Grammar Pattern 1: Noun + まみれ + だ/です
This describes the current state of an object. 'The floor is covered in dust' becomes '床は埃まみれだ'.
Grammar Pattern 2: Noun + まみれ + の + Noun
Used as an adjective. 'A mud-covered ball' is '泥まみれのボール'.
Grammar Pattern 3: Noun + まみれ + になって + Verb
Describes the process or the state while doing something else. 'Working while covered in sweat' is '汗まみれになって働く'.

古い倉庫を片付けたら、全身埃まみれになった。

Translation: After cleaning the old warehouse, my whole body became covered in dust.

It is crucial to remember that mamire is not used for positive things. You would never say 'happiness-mamire' or 'flower-mamire' (unless the flowers were crushed and staining your clothes). It carries a sense of 'dirty', 'messy', or 'troublesome'. If you want to say 'full of flowers', you would use 'だらけ' (darake) or 'いっぱい' (ippai).

事故現場は血まみれで、正視できなかった。

Translation: The accident scene was covered in blood, and I couldn't look straight at it.

The word ~まみれ appears frequently in specific genres of Japanese media and real-life scenarios. Understanding these contexts will help you grasp the 'feeling' of the word beyond its dictionary definition.

News and Crime Reports
Journalists use '血まみれ' (chi-mamire) to describe gruesome scenes or '疑惑まみれ' (giwaku-mamire) when discussing a scandal-ridden politician. It adds a layer of intensity and negativity to the report.
Sports Manga and Anime
Characters in series like 'Haikyuu!!' or 'Slam Dunk' are often described as '汗まみれ' (ase-mamire) or '泥まみれ' (doro-mamire) to emphasize their hard work and dedication. Here, while the substance is 'dirty', the context implies a noble struggle.
Construction and Manual Labor
In a workplace, a foreman might tell a worker they are '油まみれ' (abura-mamire - covered in oil) or '埃まみれ' (hokori-mamire - covered in dust) and suggest they clean up before entering the breakroom.

彼はギャンブルで借金まみれの生活を送っている。

Translation: He is living a life covered (buried) in debt due to gambling.

In casual conversation, you might use it to complain about the state of your house after a long vacation ('埃まみれだ!') or to describe your dog after it ran through the park in the rain ('泥まみれになっちゃった'). It is a word that conveys a strong sensory reaction—usually one of disgust or the need for a shower.

まみれの手で、新しい服を触らないで!

Translation: Don't touch the new clothes with your oil-smeared hands!

Learning ~まみれ requires understanding what it cannot do. Many students confuse it with other 'full of' suffixes. Here are the most common errors to avoid.

Mistake 1: Using it for positive things
Incorrect: '幸せまみれ' (shiawase-mamire - covered in happiness). Correct: '幸せいっぱい' (shiawase ippai). 'Mamire' implies a mess that you want to clean off. Happiness is not a mess.
Mistake 2: Using it for scattered items
Incorrect: '間違いまみれ' (machigai-mamire - smeared with mistakes). Correct: '間違いだらけ' (machigai-darake). Mistakes are discrete points on a page; they don't 'smear' the whole surface like a liquid.
Mistake 3: Confusing with ~ずくめ (zukume)
'Zukume' means 'entirely consisting of' and is often positive (e.g., 'good things only'). 'Mamire' is always a physical or metaphorical coating of something 'bad'.

× 部屋がゴミまみれだ。
○ 部屋がゴミだらけだ。

Note: Garbage (gomi) consists of individual items, so 'darake' is used. Unless the garbage is liquid sludge, 'mamire' is incorrect.

Another nuance to watch for is the 'stickiness' factor. If you are 'covered in water' after a shower, you are usually 'びしょ濡れ' (bishonure). You only use 'まみれ' if the water is dirty or if you are specifically emphasizing the 'messy' state of being drenched in something like sweat (汗まみれ).

× 嘘まみれの言葉。
○ 嘘だらけの言葉。

Note: Lies (uso) are abstract points of information, not a physical coating.

Japanese has several ways to say 'full of' or 'covered in'. Choosing the right one is the key to natural-sounding Japanese. Let's compare ~まみれ with its closest cousins.

1. ~だらけ (Darake)
The most common alternative. It means 'full of' many undesirable things scattered about. Use it for: mistakes, holes, garbage, or scars. Difference: 'Darake' is for countable or scattered things; 'Mamire' is for a surface coating.
2. ~ずくめ (Zukume)
Means 'entirely' or 'nothing but'. Often used for colors (black-zukume) or events (good-news-zukume). Difference: 'Zukume' can be positive and refers to the totality of a situation, not a physical mess.
3. ~いっぱい (Ippai)
A neutral, common word for 'full of'. Use it for: 'full of people', 'full of water'. Difference: 'Ippai' lacks the negative, 'smeared' nuance of 'mamire'.
4. ~塗れ (Mure - as in 'Chi-mure')
This is actually the kanji for 'mamire' (まみれ is usually written in hiragana). It comes from the verb 'mamireru' (塗れる - to be smeared). In modern Japanese, 'mamire' is the standard suffix form.

まみれ (Smeared in mud) vs. 泥だらけ (Mud everywhere/lots of mud spots).

'Mamire' sounds like you are completely coated; 'Darake' sounds like you have many mud stains.

When in doubt, if the noun is a powder (flour, dust), a liquid (blood, sweat, oil), or an abstract burden (debt), mamire is your best bet. If the noun is an object (trash, mistakes, bugs), use darake.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji for 'mamire' (塗れ) is the same as 'nure' (to get wet) and 'nuru' (to paint/apply). It emphasizes the physical application of a substance.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ma.mi.re/
US /mɑ.mi.reɪ/
Japanese pitch accent is usually flat (Heiban) or drops after 'mi'.
Rhymes With
sumire kakure wakare hare mare ware sore kore
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 're' like an English 'ray' (it should be a tapped 'r').
  • Extending the 'mi' sound too long.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Usually written in hiragana, easy to recognize.

Writing 3/5

Need to remember the specific nouns it pairs with.

Speaking 3/5

Distinguishing from 'darake' is the main challenge.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation and distinct sound.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

泥 (mud) 汗 (sweat) 埃 (dust) 血 (blood) 汚い (dirty)

Learn Next

~だらけ (full of) ~ずくめ (entirely) ~めく (to seem like) ~っぽい (ish) 汚れる (to get dirty)

Advanced

塗れる (mamireru) まみれる (mamireru - verb) 汚濁 (corruption) 不祥事 (scandal)

Grammar to Know

Noun + だらけ

間違いだらけの回答。

Noun + ずくめ

いいことずくめの一日。

Noun + まみれになる

泥まみれになる。

Noun + まみれの + Noun

油まみれの手。

Noun + にまみれる (Verb)

埃にまみれる。

Examples by Level

1

ねこがどろまみれです。

The cat is covered in mud.

Noun (泥) + まみれ + です

2

てがすなまみれになった。

My hands got covered in sand.

Noun (砂) + まみれ + になった

3

このほんはほこりまみれだ。

This book is covered in dust.

Simple state description.

4

どろまみれのくつをあらいます。

I will wash the mud-covered shoes.

Noun + まみれ + の + Noun

5

あせまみれでかえりました。

I came home covered in sweat.

Using 'de' to show the state.

6

いぬがどろまみれで走っている。

The dog is running, covered in mud.

State during an action.

7

そのおもちゃはすなまみれだ。

That toy is covered in sand.

Simple identification.

8

服がどろまみれになったね。

Your clothes got all muddy, didn't they?

Casual observation.

1

運動会の後、子供たちは泥まみれになった。

After the sports day, the children were covered in mud.

Standard 'became' structure.

2

大掃除で、全身が埃まみれになりました。

During the big cleaning, my whole body got covered in dust.

Polite form.

3

汗まみれのTシャツを洗濯機に入れた。

I put the sweat-soaked T-shirt into the washing machine.

Adjectival use.

4

彼は油まみれの手でパンを食べた。

He ate bread with oil-smeared hands.

Describing the instrument (hands).

5

公園で遊んで、靴が砂まみれだ。

I played in the park, and my shoes are covered in sand.

Result of an action.

6

この古いカメラは埃まみれで動かない。

This old camera is covered in dust and won't work.

Cause and effect.

7

雨の中を歩いて、ズボンが泥まみれになった。

Walking in the rain, my pants got covered in mud.

Process description.

8

彼は汗まみれになって走ってきた。

He came running, drenched in sweat.

Adverbial state.

1

そのボクサーは、血まみれになりながらも戦い続けた。

That boxer continued to fight even while covered in blood.

Emphasizing persistence despite the state.

2

借金まみれの生活から抜け出したい。

I want to escape from a life buried in debt.

Metaphorical use with 'shakkin'.

3

床が油まみれで、滑りやすくなっている。

The floor is covered in oil and has become slippery.

Describing a dangerous condition.

4

彼は埃まみれの古い書類を整理している。

He is organizing old documents covered in dust.

Noun + mamire + no + Noun.

5

一日中外で働いたので、服が泥まみれだ。

Since I worked outside all day, my clothes are covered in mud.

Reasoning + state.

6

彼は汗まみれの顔をタオルで拭いた。

He wiped his sweat-covered face with a towel.

Part of the body description.

7

その政治家は疑惑まみれで、国民の信頼を失った。

That politician is covered in suspicion and lost the people's trust.

Abstract negative state.

8

ペンキまみれの作業着を着ている。

He is wearing work clothes smeared with paint.

Describing clothing.

1

不祥事まみれの企業が、信頼を回復するのは難しい。

It is difficult for a company smeared with scandals to regain trust.

Complex abstract noun.

2

戦場から帰った兵士は、泥と血にまみれていた。

The soldier who returned from the battlefield was covered in mud and blood.

Using 'ni mamirete ita' as a verb phrase.

3

この部屋は、何年も放置されて埃まみれになっている。

This room has been left for years and is covered in dust.

Long-term state.

4

彼は嘘まみれの言い訳を並べて、責任を逃れようとした。

He tried to escape responsibility by lining up excuses smeared with lies.

Metaphorical 'smear' of lies.

5

オイルまみれになってエンジンを修理した。

I repaired the engine while getting covered in oil.

Action leading to the state.

6

彼女の過去は、悲しみまみれだった。

Her past was covered (saturated) with sadness.

Poetic/Metaphorical use.

7

泥まみれの栄光なんて、私はいらない。

I don't need glory that is smeared with mud.

Contrasting a positive noun with 'mamire'.

8

彼は借金まみれで、夜逃げ同然で姿を消した。

He was so deep in debt that he disappeared as if fleeing in the night.

Consequence of the state.

1

利権まみれの政治構造を打破しなければならない。

We must break down the political structure smeared with vested interests.

High-level political vocabulary.

2

その作家の遺稿は、インクまみれで判読が困難だった。

The author's last manuscript was so smeared with ink it was hard to read.

Describing a physical obstacle.

3

彼は自責の念にまみれ、苦悩の日々を送っている。

He is covered in (overwhelmed by) self-reproach, living days of agony.

Abstract psychological state.

4

都会の喧騒と煤まみれの空気に嫌気がさした。

I got sick of the city's hustle and the soot-smeared air.

Describing environment.

5

血まみれの惨劇を目の当たりにして、彼は言葉を失った。

Witnessing the blood-smeared tragedy, he was lost for words.

Dramatic narrative use.

6

欲望まみれの世界で、清らかに生きるのは難しい。

It is difficult to live purely in a world smeared with desire.

Philosophical context.

7

泥まみれになって働くことの尊さを、若者に教えたい。

I want to teach young people the nobility of working while getting covered in mud.

Re-evaluating 'mamire' as positive effort.

8

その古書はカビまみれで、ページを開くことさえためらわれた。

The old book was so covered in mold that I hesitated even to open the pages.

Describing decay.

1

権謀術数まみれの宮廷で、彼女は孤独な戦いを強いられた。

In a court smeared with machinations and intrigue, she was forced into a lonely battle.

Extremely formal/literary compound.

2

人間の本質は、泥まみれの現実の中にこそ現れる。

The essence of humanity appears precisely within the mud-smeared reality.

Existential philosophy.

3

彼は過去の罪悪感にまみれ、贖罪の道を模索している。

He is covered in the guilt of his past and is searching for a way of atonement.

Deep metaphorical usage.

4

汚辱まみれの歴史を清算し、新たな一歩を踏み出す。

We will settle the history smeared with disgrace and take a new step forward.

National/Historical context.

5

その詩は、絶望まみれの言葉で綴られていた。

The poem was composed of words smeared with despair.

Literary analysis.

6

虚飾まみれの生活を捨て、彼は山にこもった。

Discarding a life smeared with ostentation, he secluded himself in the mountains.

Social critique.

7

血と汗にまみれた開拓の歴史が、この地には刻まれている。

A history of pioneering, smeared with blood and sweat, is carved into this land.

Historical narrative.

8

腐敗まみれの組織を内部から改革するのは至難の業だ。

Reforming an organization smeared with corruption from the inside is a Herculean task.

Organizational theory.

Common Collocations

泥まみれ
血まみれ
汗まみれ
借金まみれ
埃まみれ
油まみれ
疑惑まみれ
砂まみれ
嘘まみれ
不祥事まみれ

Common Phrases

泥まみれになって働く

— To work hard without caring about getting dirty.

彼は泥まみれになって家族を支えた。

汗まみれで頑張る

— To give one's all, literally sweating.

汗まみれで練習に励む。

借金まみれになる

— To fall deep into debt.

ギャンブルで借金まみれになった。

埃まみれの思い出

— Old, forgotten memories.

埃まみれのアルバムを開く。

血まみれの抗争

— A bloody conflict or battle.

血まみれの抗争が終結した。

嘘まみれの世界

— A world full of deceit.

嘘まみれの世界に嫌気がさす。

油まみれの作業服

— Greasy work clothes.

彼は油まみれの作業服で現れた。

全身泥まみれ

— Covered head to toe in mud.

子供が全身泥まみれで帰ってきた。

疑惑まみれの真相

— A truth shrouded in suspicion.

疑惑まみれの真相を究明する。

砂まみれの足跡

— Sandy footprints.

廊下に砂まみれの足跡がついている。

Often Confused With

~まみれ vs だらけ (darake)

Use darake for scattered things; mamire for a coating.

~まみれ vs いっぱい (ippai)

Ippai is neutral; mamire is negative and messy.

~まみれ vs ずくめ (zukume)

Zukume is for 'entirely' (often positive); mamire is for 'smeared' (negative).

Idioms & Expressions

"泥にまみれる"

— To be disgraced or to work in a lowly position.

地に落ち、泥にまみれる。

Literary
"血で血を洗う"

— A bloody feud (related to chi-mamire).

血で血を洗う争い。

Formal
"汗水垂らす"

— To work by the sweat of one's brow (related to ase-mamire).

汗水垂らして働く。

Common
"借金で首が回らない"

— To be up to one's neck in debt (related to shakkin-mamire).

借金で首が回らない状態だ。

Common
"埃を被る"

— To gather dust/be forgotten.

計画が埃を被っている。

Idiomatic
"身を粉にする"

— To work oneself to the bone (related to physical labor).

身を粉にして働く。

Formal
"泥を塗る"

— To bring disgrace (doro-mamire's active counterpart).

顔に泥を塗る行為だ。

Common
"恥をさらす"

— To expose one's shame.

人前で恥をさらす。

Common
"浮世の垢にまみれる"

— To be tainted by the world's impurities.

都会で浮世の垢にまみれる。

Poetic
"修羅場をくぐる"

— To go through a 'blood-smeared' scene/crisis.

数々の修羅場をくぐってきた。

Common

Easily Confused

~まみれ vs だらけ

Both mean 'full of'.

Darake is for discrete items (mistakes, holes). Mamire is for coatings (mud, oil).

間違いだらけ (Correct) vs 間違いまみれ (Incorrect).

~まみれ vs まみれる

It's the verb form.

Mamire is a suffix; mamireru is a full verb used with the particle 'ni'.

泥にまみれる。

~まみれ vs 塗れる

Same kanji/meaning.

Mamireru is more common in speech; nureru is more literary or specific to painting.

不名誉に塗れる。

~まみれ vs びしょ濡れ

Both mean 'covered in liquid'.

Bishonure is specifically for water/rain. Mamire is for dirty liquids/solids.

雨でびしょ濡れ。

~まみれ vs まみれ

Used with 'chi' (blood).

Chi-mamire is standard. Chi-midoro is even more intense and gruesome.

血みどろの戦い。

Sentence Patterns

A2

Noun + まみれだ

靴が泥まみれだ。

A2

Noun + まみれになる

手が砂まみれになった。

B1

Noun + まみれの + Noun

汗まみれのシャツ。

B1

Noun + まみれになって + Verb

泥まみれになって走る。

B2

Noun + まみれで + Verb

血まみれで倒れている。

B2

借金まみれの + Noun

借金まみれの生活。

C1

疑惑まみれの + Noun

疑惑まみれの政治。

C2

~と~にまみれた + Noun

血と汗にまみれた歴史。

Word Family

Nouns

泥まみれ
血まみれ
埃まみれ

Verbs

まみれる (to be smeared)
塗れる (to be smeared/painted)

Related

だらけ
ずくめ
いっぱい
まみれになる
汚れ

How to Use It

frequency

Common in specific contexts (sports, cleaning, crime news).

Common Mistakes
  • 幸せまみれ 幸せいっぱい

    Happiness is positive and not a messy coating.

  • 間違いまみれ 間違いだらけ

    Mistakes are separate items, not a smear.

  • 水まみれ びしょ濡れ

    Clean water uses 'bishonure'. Use 'mamire' only if the water is dirty.

  • ゴミまみれの部屋 ゴミだらけの部屋

    Trash consists of objects, not a surface coating.

  • 星まみれの空 星がいっぱいの空

    Stars are beautiful and separate points of light.

Tips

Noun Only

Always attach 'mamire' directly to a noun. No particles in between.

The Wash Test

If you can wash it off and it's gross, 'mamire' is likely correct.

Debt is Dirty

Remember 'shakkin-mamire' as a key metaphorical phrase.

Mamire vs Darake

Mamire = Coating. Darake = Scattered items.

Casual Use

Use it to complain about your dirty clothes after hiking.

Imagery

Use it to add texture to your descriptions. It's a very 'tactile' word.

Impurity

Understand that 'mamire' carries a sense of 'needing purification'.

JLPT Tip

This often appears in 'choose the correct suffix' questions.

Context Clues

If you hear 'doro', 'ase', or 'chi', expect 'mamire' or 'darake'.

Metaphorical Formalism

In formal contexts, use it for scandals (giwaku-mamire).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'Mummy' (Mami) coming out of the 'Re' (Red) sand, covered in dust and mud. Mummy + Red = Mamire.

Visual Association

A person falling into a giant vat of chocolate. They are now 'chocolate-mamire'.

Word Web

Dirt Sticky Negative Surface Washing Messy Covered Stained

Challenge

Try to find 3 things in your house that are 'hokori-mamire' (covered in dust) and say it out loud.

Word Origin

Derived from the classical Japanese verb 'mamiru' (塗る), which meant to smear or paint.

Original meaning: To be coated in a substance.

Japonic

Cultural Context

Be careful using 'mamire' for people unless they are actually dirty from work/sports, as it can be insulting.

English uses 'covered in' or 'smeared with'. 'Smeared' is the closest nuance to 'mamire'.

Akira (manga) - often features blood-smeared (血まみれ) characters. Spirited Away - the Stink Spirit is 'mud-mamire' (泥まみれ). Japanese news - frequently uses '疑惑まみれ' for scandals.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

After Sports

  • 汗まみれ
  • 泥まみれ
  • ユニフォームがまみれる
  • シャワーを浴びたい

Cleaning

  • 埃まみれ
  • 大掃除
  • 雑巾で拭く
  • 部屋が汚い

Financial Trouble

  • 借金まみれ
  • 利息
  • 夜逃げ
  • 破産

Accidents

  • 血まみれ
  • 怪我
  • 救急車
  • 惨状

Work/Mechanic

  • 油まみれ
  • 作業着
  • 修理
  • 手が汚れる

Conversation Starters

"「昨日のサッカー、泥まみれになって大変だったんじゃない?」 (Wasn't yesterday's soccer game tough, getting all muddy?)"

"「この古い家、埃まみれだけど、宝物があるかもしれないよ。」 (This old house is covered in dust, but there might be treasures.)"

"「最近のニュースは不祥事まみれで、嫌になっちゃうね。」 (Recent news is smeared with scandals; it's depressing, isn't it?)"

"「全身汗まみれだね!すぐにシャワー浴びてきたら?」 (You're covered in sweat! Why don't you take a shower right away?)"

"「あのドラマの主人公、借金まみれで可哀想だった。」 (The protagonist of that drama was covered in debt and so pitiful.)"

Journal Prompts

子供の頃、泥まみれになって遊んだ思い出を書いてください。 (Write about a memory of playing while covered in mud as a child.)

「借金まみれ」にならないために、どのようなことに気をつけますか? (What do you do to avoid becoming 'covered in debt'?)

大掃除をして、埃まみれになった経験はありますか? (Do you have an experience of getting covered in dust while doing a big cleaning?)

「嘘まみれ」の人間関係について、どう思いますか? (What do you think about human relationships 'smeared with lies'?)

仕事やスポーツで、汗まみれになって達成感を感じたことはありますか? (Have you ever felt a sense of accomplishment after getting covered in sweat through work or sports?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Usually no. 'Mamire' is for dirty or unpleasant things. If you say 'flower-mamire', it sounds like you were crushed by flowers or they stained your clothes. Use 'ippai' or 'darake' instead.

'Doro-mamire' means you are completely covered or caked in mud. 'Doro-darake' means there is mud everywhere, perhaps in many spots, but not necessarily a complete coating.

Yes, almost always. It implies a mess. Even in sports (sweat-mamire), the sweat itself is a messy substance, even if the effort is good.

No. People are discrete objects. Use 'hito-darake' or 'hito de ippai'.

Yes, especially in news reports (scandals, crimes) or literature to describe a gritty scene.

Use '借金まみれ' (shakkin-mamire). This is a very common idiomatic use.

Yes, '埃まみれの部屋' (hokori-mamire no heya) is perfect.

As a suffix, it's 'Noun mamire'. As a verb, it's 'Noun ni mamireru'.

'血まみれ' (chi-mamire) is the standard and most common way to say this.

No, mistakes are not a coating. Use 'machigai-darake'.

Test Yourself 200 questions

writing

Write a sentence using '泥まみれ' (doro-mamire).

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writing

Write a sentence using '汗まみれ' (ase-mamire).

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using '埃まみれ' (hokori-mamire).

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using '借金まみれ' (shakkin-mamire).

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using '血まみれ' (chi-mamire).

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using '油まみれ' (abura-mamire).

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writing

Write a sentence using '砂まみれ' (suna-mamire).

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writing

Write a sentence using '疑惑まみれ' (giwaku-mamire).

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writing

Explain the difference between 'mamire' and 'darake' in Japanese.

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writing

Write a sentence using '嘘まみれ' (uso-mamire).

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Translate: 'The book was covered in dust.'

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writing

Translate: 'He is up to his neck in debt.' (using mamire)

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writing

Translate: 'The dog became muddy.'

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writing

Translate: 'Scandal-ridden organization.'

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Translate: 'Don't touch with oily hands!'

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writing

Describe a scene using 'chi-mamire'.

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writing

Describe a scene using 'ase-mamire'.

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writing

Describe a scene using 'hokori-mamire'.

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writing

Translate: 'A life full of sadness.' (poetic)

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writing

Translate: 'The manuscript was smeared with ink.'

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speaking

Say 'I am covered in sweat' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The room is dusty' using 'mamire'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'He is in a lot of debt' using 'mamire'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'My shoes are muddy' using 'mamire'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'Don't touch with oily hands' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'The accident was bloody' using 'mamire'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'I became covered in sand' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The politician is full of scandals' using 'mamire'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The old book is dusty' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The dog is covered in mud' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'My clothes are covered in paint' using 'mamire'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'I want to clean this dusty place' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'He is covered in lies' using 'mamire'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'I worked while covered in sweat' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The floor is oily' using 'mamire'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The child is covered in sand' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'I am tired of this scandal-ridden news' using 'mamire'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The manuscript is ink-smeared' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'He returned bloody' in Japanese.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'My whole body is dusty' using 'mamire'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen to the sentence: 泥まみれの靴。 What is muddy?

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listening

Listen: 借金まみれの生活。 What is the person's problem?

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listening

Listen: 埃まみれの部屋。 What is the condition of the room?

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listening

Listen: 汗まみれの顔。 What is on the face?

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listening

Listen: 血まみれの現場。 What kind of scene is it?

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listening

Listen: 油まみれの手。 What is on the hands?

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listening

Listen: 砂まみれの足。 What is on the feet?

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listening

Listen: 疑惑まみれの政治家。 What is the politician covered in?

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listening

Listen: 嘘まみれの言葉。 Are the words true?

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listening

Listen: 泥まみれになって遊ぶ。 What are they doing?

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listening

Listen: 全身埃まみれ。 How much of the body is dusty?

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listening

Listen: 借金まみれで困る。 Why are they troubled?

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listening

Listen: 汗まみれで走る。 What are they doing?

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listening

Listen: 泥まみれの服を洗う。 What are they washing?

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listening

Listen: 埃まみれの古い本。 What is the object?

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/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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