The verb 'nureru' describes the transition from a dry state to being covered or soaked in liquid.
Word in 30 Seconds
- To become covered or soaked with liquid.
- Describes a change of state to being wet.
- Often used for clothes, hair, or surfaces.
1) 概要: 「濡れる」は、対象物が水分を吸収したり、表面に水が付着したりして、乾いた状態から湿った状態へ変化することを表します。自然現象としての雨や、意図的な水の使用など、幅広い状況で使われます。
2) 使用パターン: 基本的な文型は「[対象]が濡れる」です。何かが濡れている状態を説明する際には「濡れている（状態の継続）」という形がよく使われます。また、他動詞の「濡らす」と対になっています。
3) 一般的な文脈: 日常生活では、雨に降られた時や、手を洗った時、飲み物をこぼした時などに頻繁に使用されます。また、比喩的に「涙で目が濡れる」のように感情を伴う表現にも使われます。
4) 類語との比較: 「湿る（しめる）」は、濡れるよりも水分量が少なく、少しだけ水分を含んでいる状態を指します。「濡れる」は水滴がつくような、より明確な湿り気を指す点が異なります。
Examples
雨で服が濡れた。
everydayMy clothes got wet in the rain.
濡れた手で触らないでください。
formalPlease do not touch with wet hands.
髪が濡れているよ。
informalYour hair is wet.
湿度が上がり、地面が濡れる現象が観測された。
academicThe phenomenon of the ground becoming wet due to increased humidity was observed.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
雨に濡れる
to get caught in the rain
濡れ衣を着せる
to falsely accuse someone
濡れ手で粟
easy money
Often Confused With
Shimeru implies dampness or humidity, often without visible water droplets. Nureru implies a more significant presence of liquid.
Nurasu is the transitive counterpart. Use it when someone actively makes something wet.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Nureru is a versatile verb used in both casual and formal settings. It is essential to distinguish it from its transitive partner, nurasu. When describing a state, the 'te-iru' form (nurete-iru) is almost always preferred over the simple dictionary form.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'nureru' as a transitive verb, saying 'I nureta the floor' instead of 'I nurashita the floor'. Also, confusing it with 'shimeru' (damp) is common; remember 'nureru' is for when water is clearly involved.
Tips
Use with state-describing particles
When describing a state, use the 'te-iru' form. For example, 'kaban ga nurete-iru' means the bag is currently wet.
Distinguish from transitive verbs
Don't confuse 'nureru' (intransitive) with 'nurasu' (transitive). Use 'nureru' when you are the one getting wet, not when you are wetting something else.
Rainy season context
In Japan, the rainy season (Tsuyu) often makes everything feel 'nurete-iru'. It is a common topic for small talk.
Word Origin
The word stems from ancient Japanese roots related to moisture and water-based states. It has evolved into the standard verb for becoming wet in modern Japanese.
Cultural Context
Getting wet in the rain is often associated with melancholy or dramatic scenes in Japanese media. However, in daily life, it is simply a nuisance to be avoided with umbrellas.
Memory Tip
Think of 'New-reru' (a new rain makes you wet). It's a quick way to associate the sound with the action of getting wet in the rain.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions「濡れる」は自動詞で、何かが水に触れて勝手に濡れる状態を指します。一方、「濡らす」は他動詞で、誰かが意図的に水をかけて濡れさせる行為を指します。
「濡れている」は、すでに濡れた状態が現在も続いていることを表します。動作の完了後の状態描写として非常に一般的です。
はい、「涙で頬が濡れる」のように、感情的な場面で使われることがあります。悲しみや感動を表す際に使われる美しい表現です。
過去形は「濡れました」または「濡れた」となります。雨に降られた経験を話す際によく使われます。
Test Yourself
雨に降られて、服が___。
雨という自然現象で服が濡れる状態になったので、自動詞の過去形が適切です。
次のうち、正しいものはどれですか？
「濡れる」は自動詞なので、「床が」という主語と相性が良いです。
（髪が / 濡れて / 雨で / しまった）
原因＋対象＋動詞の順で構成するのが自然です。
Score: /3
Summary
The verb 'nureru' describes the transition from a dry state to being covered or soaked in liquid.
- To become covered or soaked with liquid.
- Describes a change of state to being wet.
- Often used for clothes, hair, or surfaces.
Use with state-describing particles
When describing a state, use the 'te-iru' form. For example, 'kaban ga nurete-iru' means the bag is currently wet.
Distinguish from transitive verbs
Don't confuse 'nureru' (intransitive) with 'nurasu' (transitive). Use 'nureru' when you are the one getting wet, not when you are wetting something else.
Rainy season context
In Japan, the rainy season (Tsuyu) often makes everything feel 'nurete-iru'. It is a common topic for small talk.
Examples
4 of 4雨で服が濡れた。
My clothes got wet in the rain.
濡れた手で触らないでください。
Please do not touch with wet hands.
髪が濡れているよ。
Your hair is wet.
湿度が上がり、地面が濡れる現象が観測された。
The phenomenon of the ground becoming wet due to increased humidity was observed.
Related Content
Related Vocabulary
More daily_life words
じゅうしょ
A2The particulars of the place where someone lives.
住所
A2address, residence
～後
A2after
目覚まし
B1Alarm clock. A clock that makes a noise to wake someone up.
目覚まし時計
B1An alarm clock.
もう少し
B1A little more.
ひとりで
A2Alone.
~のに
B1Even though; despite (particle/conjunction).
ごぜん
A2Morning (a.m.).
煩い
B1Noisy; annoying.
