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B1 adjective #7,000 most common 7 min read

濁った

nigotta Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 濁った in 30 Seconds

Explanation 濁った in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 濁った (nigotta) is likely too advanced for your daily vocabulary, but you might see the kanji 濁 in the word 'dakuon' (the dots on letters like が). For now, think of 濁った as the opposite of 'clear water'. If you see a river that looks brown or messy after a storm, that is 'nigotta mizu' (muddy water). You don't need to worry about the complex grammar yet. Just remember: Nigotta = Not clear. It is usually used for water. If the water in your glass looks strange, you could point and say 'Nigotta!' to warn someone. It is a very descriptive word that helps you talk about the world around you in simple terms. You might also hear it when someone talks about 'Nigori-zake', which is a famous type of white, cloudy Japanese rice wine. Even at A1, knowing this word helps you understand menus and basic nature descriptions.

At the A2 level, you can start using 濁った to describe simple physical changes. You should know that it comes from the verb 濁る (nigoru). In A2 Japanese, you can use it to talk about the weather or the environment. For example, 'Yesterday's rain made the river muddy' (Kinou no ame de, kawa ga nigotta). You can also use it to describe soup that isn't clear. If you are cooking and the soup looks cloudy, you can use this word. It's a useful adjective to add detail to your sentences. You should also be able to recognize it when it's used as a noun-modifier, like 'nigotta mizu' (muddy water). At this stage, try to distinguish it from 'yogoreta' (dirty). 'Yogoreta' is for a dirty shirt, but 'nigotta' is for cloudy liquids. Learning this distinction will make your Japanese sound much more natural and precise.

As a B1 learner, you should be comfortable using 濁った in both literal and figurative senses. This is the level where you start describing people's voices or eyes using this word. For example, you might describe an old man's voice as 'nigotta koe' (a hoarse/clouded voice). You should also understand the use of 濁った in describing 'stuffy' or 'polluted' air (nigotta kuuki). At B1, you are expected to understand the resultative state—that something *became* cloudy and *remains* so. You should also be familiar with the phrase 'kotoba o nigosu' (to speak vaguely), which is a common idiomatic use. This word is very common in news reports about natural disasters, so pay attention to it when listening to reports about floods or landslides. You should also be able to use the antonym 'sunda' (clear/pure) to create contrast in your descriptions, such as 'The clear water became muddy' (Sunda mizu ga nigotta).

At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 濁った and its various synonyms like 'yodonda' or 'futoumei'. You should be able to use 濁った to describe abstract concepts, such as the 'murky' side of politics or a 'corrupt' society. Your ability to use the word in literature or formal writing should increase. For instance, you might describe a character's internal conflict by saying their 'heart became clouded' (kokoro ga nigotta). You should also be aware of the phonetic implications of 'dakuon' and how the concept of 'muddiness' applies to the Japanese language itself. At this level, you should be able to explain the difference between 'nigoru' (to become cloudy) and 'sumu' (to become clear) in a variety of contexts, including acoustics, optics, and morality. You should also be able to use the causative form 'nigaseru' or the transitive-like 'nigosu' correctly in complex sentences.

At the C1 level, you should be able to appreciate the aesthetic and philosophical implications of 濁った. In Japanese culture, the tension between 'purity' (seimei) and 'impurity/muddiness' (nigori) is a recurring theme in art and religion. You should be able to discuss how 'nigori' is sometimes valued in certain contexts, such as the 'earthy' beauty of certain ceramics or the rich flavor of unfiltered sake. Your vocabulary should include more advanced compounds like 'dakuon' (voiced sound), 'dakuryuu' (muddy torrent), and 'seidaku' (purity and impurity). You should be able to use the phrase 'Seidaku awas飲む' (to be broad-minded enough to accept both the good and the bad/pure and impure). Your usage of the word should be precise, using it to describe subtle variations in color, tone, and character. You should also be able to read and understand literary passages where 濁った is used to create a specific atmospheric mood of decay or corruption.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 濁った should be indistinguishable from that of a native speaker. You should be able to use it effortlessly in high-level academic discussions about fluid dynamics, phonology, or social ethics. You can use the word to describe the most subtle nuances of human emotion or the 'clouded' nature of historical truth. You should be familiar with archaic or highly literary uses of the kanji 濁 in classical Japanese texts. You can participate in debates about the 'nigori' in modern society, using the term to describe systemic corruption or the loss of traditional clarity. Furthermore, you should be able to play with the word in creative writing, using it as a central metaphor for transformation or moral ambiguity. Your understanding of 'nigori' extends to the deep cultural roots of the Shinto concept of 'kegare' (impurity) and how it contrasts with the 'clear' heart (shinjin) valued in Japanese spirituality.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

濁った in 30 Seconds

Used for non-transparent liquids like muddy water.
Can describe a hoarse or raspy human voice.
Describes stuffy or polluted air in a room or city.
Metaphorically refers to moral corruption or lack of clarity.

The Japanese word 濁った (nigotta) is the past-tense or attributive form of the verb 濁にごる, which translates to 'to become muddy,' 'to get cloudy,' or 'to lose clarity.' In everyday Japanese, this word is essential for describing physical states where a liquid or even air has become impure or opaque. Imagine a beautiful mountain stream after a heavy rainstorm; the once crystal-clear water is now filled with silt and debris. In this moment, a Japanese speaker would point and say, 水が濁った (The water has become muddy). This adjective-like verb form is also frequently used to describe beverages, such as 濁にごり酒ざけ (nigori-zake), a type of unfiltered, cloudy sake that is prized for its creamy texture and rich flavor. Beyond the physical realm, the term carries significant metaphorical weight. It can describe a person's voice (濁にごった声こえ) when it sounds hoarse, gravelly, or lacks a clear tone. It is also used to describe eyes (濁にごった目め) that have lost their youthful sparkle or, more darkly, eyes that reflect a corrupt or dishonest soul.

Physical Opacity: Used for liquids like water, soup, or chemicals that are no longer transparent due to sediment or impurities.

雨の後は、川の水がひどく濁った。 (After the rain, the river water became very muddy.)

Auditory Quality: Describes a voice that is not clear, often due to illness, fatigue, or aging.

彼は濁った声でささやいた。 (He whispered in a hoarse voice.)

Metaphorical Corruption: Used to describe a lack of moral clarity or 'dirty' intentions in politics or personal character.

彼の濁った目を見ると、嘘をついていると分かった。 (Looking into his cloudy eyes, I knew he was lying.)

When you use 濁った, you are focusing on the loss of a previous state of purity. It is the opposite of 澄んだ (sunda), which means clear or serene. Whether you are describing a pond filled with algae, a smoke-filled room with 濁った空気 (cloudy/stuffy air), or the complex, non-transparent colors in a painting, this word conveys a sense of thickness and lack of light penetration. In cultural contexts, Japanese aesthetics often value the 'clear' (sumi), so 'nigori' represents a departure from that ideal, though in some cases, like tea or sake, it represents a rustic, 'earthy' beauty.

Using 濁った (nigotta) correctly requires understanding its role as both a modifier and a resultative state. Because it is the past form of a verb acting as an adjective, it implies that a change has occurred. For example, if you say 水が濁った, you are saying 'The water became muddy.' If you say 濁った水, you are describing 'muddy water.' This distinction is subtle but important for B1 learners.

Describing Liquids: This is the most common usage. It applies to any fluid that should be clear.

この池は底が見えないほど濁った。 (This pond has become so cloudy you can't see the bottom.)

Describing Atmosphere: You can use it for air that is thick with smoke, dust, or pollution.

都会の濁った空気を吸いたくない。 (I don't want to breathe the polluted air of the city.)

Describing Colors: In art, it refers to 'muddy' colors created by mixing too many pigments.

絵の具を混ぜすぎて、色が濁った。 (I mixed the paints too much, and the colors became muddy.)

彼の濁った瞳には、もう希望はなかった。 (In his clouded pupils, there was no longer any hope.)

When talking about soup stocks (dashi), 濁った is often a sign of poor technique, as a clear broth is the hallmark of high-quality Japanese cuisine. However, for certain types of ramen (like Tonkotsu), the 'nigori' is the whole point! Understanding the context—whether the 'cloudiness' is a flaw or a feature—is key to mastering this word.

You will encounter 濁った (nigotta) in a variety of real-life scenarios, ranging from scientific reports to poetic descriptions. One of the most common places is the weather forecast or news during the rainy season (梅雨つゆ). News anchors will report on 増水ぞうすい (swollen rivers) and 濁流だくりゅう (muddy currents), using 濁った to describe the dangerous state of local waterways. In a more domestic setting, you might hear it in the kitchen. A chef might warn an apprentice, 'Don't let the dashi boil too hard, or it will get 濁った.'

In Nature: Hikers and fishermen use it to describe the conditions of lakes and streams.

大雨で、湖の水が濁った。 (The lake water became muddy due to the heavy rain.)

In Literature & Anime: Authors use it to describe corrupt politicians or a character's loss of innocence.

社会の濁った部分を見てしまった。 (I ended up seeing the murky parts of society.)

In Health: Medical contexts use it to describe cloudy urine or other bodily fluids that indicate infection.

プールの水が濁っているので、今日は泳げない。 (The pool water is cloudy, so we can't swim today.)

You will also hear this word in the context of '濁ったワイン' (unfiltered wine) in trendy natural wine bars in Tokyo. In these cases, the speaker is highlighting the natural, unprocessed quality of the drink. However, in most professional contexts, 'nigori' is something to be filtered out or avoided. If you are learning Japanese for business, you might hear it used figuratively to describe 'muddled' logic or an 'unclear' (濁にごした) response to a question.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with 濁った (nigotta) is confusing it with the general word for 'dirty,' which is 汚よごれた (yogoreta). While all 濁った liquids are technically 'dirty,' not all 'dirty' things are 濁った.

Nigotta vs. Yogoreta: 'Nigotta' specifically refers to transparency and internal suspension. 'Yogoreta' refers to surface stains or general filth.

❌ このシャツは濁った。 (This shirt became cloudy - Incorrect)
✅ このシャツは汚れた。 (This shirt got dirty - Correct)

Nigotta vs. Kumotta: 'Kumotta' (曇った) is used for the sky (cloudy) or glasses/mirrors (fogged up). Using 'nigotta' for the sky is rare unless you mean it's thick with smog.

❌ 今日の空は濁っている。 (The sky is muddy - Weird)
✅ 今日の空は曇っている。 (The sky is cloudy - Natural)

❌ 頭が濁った。 (My head became muddy - Unnatural)
✅ 頭が混乱した。 (My head became confused - Correct)

Another mistake is using it for 'blurry' vision. If your eyes can't focus, use 霞かすむ (kasumu) or ぼやけるboyakeru. 濁った eyes refers to the *appearance* of the eye itself (the sclera or pupil looking cloudy), not the quality of the vision. Finally, don't confuse 濁にごる (to get cloudy) with 煮にえる (to be boiled). They sound slightly similar to beginners but have zero connection in meaning.

To truly enrich your Japanese, you should know the synonyms and related terms for 濁った (nigotta). Depending on what is 'cloudy,' different words are more appropriate.

不透明 (Futoumei): This is the technical/academic word for 'opaque.' Use this in science or business contexts.

このガラスは不透明だ。 (This glass is opaque.)

淀んだ (Yodonda): This describes water or air that is stagnant and has become foul or murky because it isn't moving.

淀んだ空気の中で、彼は立ち尽くした。 (He stood still in the stagnant air.)

霞んだ (Kasunda): Used for a hazy landscape or misty vision. It’s more poetic and less 'dirty' than nigotta.

遠くの山が霞んで見える。 (The distant mountains look hazy.)

お茶が濁ってしまった。 (The tea has become cloudy.)

If you want to describe someone who is being vague or evasive, you can use the verb form 言いい淀よどむ (to hesitate to say) or 言葉ことばを濁にごす (to speak ambiguously). This latter phrase literally means 'to muddy one's words,' which is a perfect parallel to the English 'muddied the waters.' By understanding these nuances, you can choose the word that fits the exact level of 'un-clarity' you wish to express.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The term 'dakuon' (voiced sounds) comes from the idea that adding voicing to a sound makes it 'muddy' compared to the 'clear' (seion) unvoiced sounds.

Pronunciation Guide

UK ni.ɡot.ta

US ni.ɡɑt.tə

The pitch usually starts low on 'ni' and rises on 'go', then stays flat or drops slightly.

Rhymes With

Okotta (got angry) Tokotta (remained) Tsukotta (used - informal) Nokotta (remained) Inotta (prayed) Sakotta (skipped) Kotta (became stiff) Motta (held)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'nikotta' (missing the voicing on 'go').
Failing to pause for the small 'tsu' (sokuon) before 'ta'.
Over-emphasizing the 'ni' which should be light.
Confusing the 'go' sound with 'ko'.
Pronouncing 'ta' as 'da'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji 濁 is somewhat complex but common enough for B1.

Writing 4/5

Writing 濁 from memory requires practice with the right-side element.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is easy, but don't forget the small 'tsu'.

Listening 2/5

Easy to recognize in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

水汚れる雨声目

Learn Next

澄む透明不透明浄化曖昧

Advanced

清濁併せ呑む濁流渾濁混濁

Grammar to Know

Intransitive vs Transitive (濁る vs 濁す)

水が濁る (Water gets muddy) vs 水を濁す (Make water muddy).

Past form as Adjective

濁った水 (Water that has become muddy).

Te-iru for ongoing state

水が濁っている (The water is currently muddy).

Te-shimau for regret

スープが濁ってしまった (The soup unfortunately got cloudy).

Noun + de (cause)

雨で川が濁った (The river got muddy because of rain).

Examples by Level

この水は濁っています。

This water is muddy/cloudy.

Simple present polite form of the verb describing a state.

川が濁った。

The river became muddy.

Past tense verb used as a simple predicate.

濁った水は飲まないでください。

Please do not drink the muddy water.

Attributive use modifying the noun 'mizu'.

池が少し濁った。

The pond became a little cloudy.

Adverb 'sukoshi' modifying the verb.

雨で道が濁った。

The road became muddy because of the rain.

Using 'de' to indicate the cause (rain).

スープが濁った。

The soup became cloudy.

Simple subject-verb sentence.

濁った色は好きじゃない。

I don't like muddy colors.

Modifying the noun 'iro' (color).

海が濁ったね。

The sea became cloudy, didn't it?

Sentence ending particle 'ne' for agreement.

大雨のあと、川の水が茶色く濁った。

After the heavy rain, the river water turned brown and muddy.

Adverbial use of 'cha-iroi' (brown) with the verb.

金魚の鉢の水が濁ってきた。

The water in the goldfish bowl has started to get cloudy.

Using '~te kita' to show a change starting to happen.

このお酒は濁っているのが特徴です。

The characteristic of this sake is that it is cloudy.

Nominalizing the state with 'no'.

空気が濁っているので、窓を閉めましょう。

The air is stuffy/polluted, so let's close the window.

Using 'node' to provide a reason.

濁った声で返事をした。

He/She replied in a hoarse voice.

Describing the quality of a sound.

インクが混ざって、色が濁った。

The inks mixed, and the colors became muddy.

Sequence of events using the 'te' form.

プールの水が濁ったから、掃除が必要だ。

Because the pool water became cloudy, cleaning is necessary.

Using 'kara' for causality.

濁った目をした男が立っていた。

A man with cloudy/dull eyes was standing there.

Relative clause modifying 'otoko'.

彼は言葉を濁ったまま、部屋を出て行った。

He left the room while keeping his words vague.

Idiomatic use of 'nigosu' in past form.

都会の濁った空気に慣れてしまった。

I've gotten used to the polluted air of the city.

Verb 'nareru' (to get used to) with 'ni'.

風邪をひいて、声が濁っている。

I have a cold, and my voice is hoarse.

State of being 'te iru'.

このスープは沸騰させすぎると濁ってしまう。

This soup will end up getting cloudy if you boil it too much.

Regretful result using '~te shimau'.

濁った川には魚が住めない。

Fish cannot live in a muddy river.

Potential form 'sumenai'.

彼の濁った瞳には何も映っていないようだ。

It seems as though nothing is reflected in his clouded eyes.

Using 'yoda' for appearance/conjecture.

政治の世界の濁った部分が見えてきた。

The murky parts of the political world have become visible.

Abstract usage of the word.

そのワインは少し濁っているが、味は良い。

That wine is a bit cloudy, but the taste is good.

Conjunction 'ga' (but).

不純物が混ざると、液体はすぐに濁った。

When impurities were mixed in, the liquid immediately became cloudy.

Conditional 'to' indicating an immediate reaction.

長年放置された池は、すっかり濁ってしまった。

The pond, which had been neglected for years, became completely murky.

Adverb 'sukkari' (completely).

彼は自分の過去について、言葉を濁った表現で語った。

He spoke about his past using vague/evasive expressions.

Complex noun modification.

濁った水の中から、一輪の蓮の花が咲いている。

A single lotus flower is blooming out of the muddy water.

Contrast between the muddy water and the flower.

彼の声は酒と煙草でひどく濁っていた。

His voice was terribly hoarse from alcohol and cigarettes.

Indicating the cause with 'de'.

そのニュースを聞いて、彼の心は濁った。

Upon hearing the news, his heart became clouded (with negative feelings).

Metaphorical use for emotions.

濁った空気のせいで、遠くの景色が見えない。

Because of the murky air, the distant scenery is not visible.

Using 'no sei de' for a negative cause.

この地域は、濁った川の浄化に取り組んでいる。

This region is working on the purification of its muddy rivers.

Compound noun 'jouka' (purification).

清流も一度濁ってしまえば、元に戻すのは難しい。

Once a clear stream becomes muddy, it is difficult to restore it.

Conditional 'ba' with the 'te shimau' form.

権力争いによって、組織の空気が濁った。

The atmosphere of the organization became toxic due to power struggles.

Abstract use for social atmosphere.

彼の文章は、どこか濁った響きを持っている。

His writing has a somewhat murky/ambiguous resonance.

Describing the tone of literature.

聖濁併せ呑む器量が、リーダーには求められる。

A leader is expected to have the capacity to accept both the pure and the impure.

Using a four-character idiom (yojijukugo) variant.

都会の喧騒と濁った空気から逃れたい。

I want to escape from the bustle and polluted air of the city.

Parallel nouns with 'to'.

濁った色調をあえて使うことで、不安を表現した。

By intentionally using muddy tones, I expressed anxiety.

Using 'koto de' to show means/method.

その池は、底に沈んだ泥のせいで常に濁っている。

The pond is always cloudy due to the mud settled at the bottom.

Adverb 'tsune ni' (always).

老人の濁った瞳には、長い年月の苦労が刻まれていた。

In the old man's clouded eyes, the hardships of many years were etched.

Passive form 'kizamarete ita'.

近代化の波は、古来の清らかな精神さえも濁らせてしまった。

The wave of modernization has clouded even the pure spirit of ancient times.

Causative form 'nigosaseru' indicating external influence.

彼の弁明は、真実を濁らせるための詭弁に過ぎなかった。

His explanation was nothing more than sophistry meant to muddy the truth.

Metaphorical use for obscuring facts.

濁った世の中にあって、彼女の純粋さは際立っていた。

In a corrupt world, her purity stood out.

Using 'ni atte' for a specific circumstance.

その音色は、どこか濁った美しさを湛えていた。

The tone possessed a somewhat murky beauty.

Describing aesthetic 'nigori'.

情報の洪水が、私たちの判断力を濁らせている。

The flood of information is clouding our judgment.

Causative progressive form.

彼は言葉を濁すことで、責任から逃れようとした。

He tried to escape responsibility by speaking ambiguously.

Using 'koto de' and volitional form.

濁った潮流に身を任せるのは、容易なことだ。

It is an easy thing to surrender oneself to the murky tide (of the times).

Metaphor for social trends.

美学における『濁り』は、単なる不透明さ以上の意味を持つ。

In aesthetics, 'nigori' holds a meaning beyond mere opacity.

Formal philosophical discussion.

Common Collocations

濁った水

濁った声

濁った空気

濁った目

濁った色

スープが濁る

言葉を濁す

濁った川

濁った液体

心が濁る

Common Phrases

言葉を濁す

— To be vague or evasive in speech.

質問されたが、彼は言葉を濁した。

濁り酒

— Unfiltered, cloudy sake.

冬は濁り酒が美味しい。

濁った瞳

— Clouded eyes, often implying loss of innocence or health.

彼の濁った瞳には絶望があった。

濁流にのまれる

— To be swallowed by a muddy torrent.

家が濁流にのまれた。

空気が濁る

— The atmosphere becomes heavy or polluted.

タバコで空気が濁った。

色が濁る

— Colors become muddy or dull.

混ぜすぎて色が濁った。

声が濁る

— The voice becomes hoarse.

叫びすぎて声が濁った。

濁り湯

— Cloudy hot spring water.

ここの温泉は濁り湯だ。

水が濁る

— The water loses its clarity.

雨のせいで水が濁った。

視界が濁る

— Vision becomes unclear (metaphorical or physical).

涙で視界が濁った。

Often Confused With

濁った vs 汚れた (yogoreta)

Yogoreta is generic 'dirty' (like clothes). Nigotta is specifically about 'cloudy' liquids/air.

濁った vs 曇った (kumotta)

Kumotta is for the sky or foggy glass. Nigotta is for liquids or stuffy air.

濁った vs 霞んだ (kasunda)

Kasunda is 'hazy' or 'misty' (landscape). Nigotta is 'murky' (liquid).

Idioms & Expressions

"言葉を濁す"

— To avoid giving a clear answer by being ambiguous.

彼は昨日の居場所について言葉を濁した。

Common

"清濁併せ呑む"

— To have the magnanimity to accept both good and evil people/things.

リーダーには清濁併せ呑む器量が必要だ。

Literary

"濁った世の中"

— A corrupt or murky world/society.

濁った世の中でも正しく生きたい。

Poetic

"濁りを持たない"

— To be perfectly clear or pure (often regarding heart).

彼女の心には一点の濁りもない。

Formal

"濁った目で見る"

— To look at something with a biased or corrupt perspective.

彼は濁った目で私を見た。

Literary

"濁流に竿さす"

— To follow the trend of the times (often misused to mean resisting).

濁流に竿さすように生きていく。

Advanced

"濁り水"

— Used to describe difficult or 'dirty' circumstances.

濁り水のような生活から抜け出したい。

Literary

"声を濁らせる"

— To let one's voice become choked with emotion or hoarseness.

彼は怒りで声を濁らせた。

Descriptive

"目が濁る"

— To lose one's sense of judgment or purity.

金に目がくらんで目が濁った。

Idiom

"濁音を付す"

— Technically to add voicing marks, but can imply 'making something harsher'.

その言葉に濁音を付すような響きがあった。

Poetic

Easily Confused

濁った vs 濁る (nigoru)

Intransitive verb form.

Used when something becomes cloudy on its own.

水が濁る。

濁った vs 濁す (nigosu)

Transitive verb form.

Used when someone *makes* something cloudy or vague.

言葉を濁す。

濁った vs 煮える (nieru)

Sounds similar.

Means 'to be boiled'. Zero relationship to cloudiness.

お湯が煮える。

濁った vs 鈍った (nabutta)

Visual similarity in kanji/sound.

Means 'became dull' (like a knife or skill).

腕が鈍った。

濁った vs 湿った (shimetta)

Ends with 'tta'.

Means 'became damp/wet'.

服が湿った。

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] が濁った。

水が濁った。

[Cause] で [Noun] が濁った。

雨で池が濁った。

濁った [Noun] は [Adjective] だ。

濁った水は汚い。

[Noun] が濁っている。

声が濁っている。

[Noun] を濁らせる。

空気を濁らせる。

言葉を濁す。

彼は言葉を濁した。

一点の濁りもない [Noun]。

一点の濁りもない水晶。

清濁併せ呑む [Noun]。

清濁併せ呑む度量。

Word Family

Nouns

濁り (nigori) - cloudiness

濁音 (dakuon) - voiced sound

濁流 (dakuryuu) - muddy stream

Verbs

濁る (nigoru) - to become muddy (intransitive)

濁す (nigosu) - to make muddy/vague (transitive)

Adjectives

濁った (nigotta) - muddy (past/attributive)

澄む (sumu) - to become clear

汚れる (yogoreru) - to get dirty

不透明 (futoumei) - opaque

濁り酒 (nigorizake) - unfiltered sake

濁点 (dakuten) - voicing mark

How to Use It

frequency

High in nature, cooking, and literature.

Common Mistakes

Using 'nigotta' for a dirty floor. → Yogoreta yuka.
Nigotta is for transparency, not surface dirt.
Saying 'sora ga nigotta' for a cloudy day. → Sora ga kumotta.
Nigotta for the sky implies thick smoke or pollution, not clouds.
Pronouncing it 'nikotta'. → Nigotta.
The 'g' must be voiced.
Using it for 'confused' thoughts. → Konran shita.
Nigotta is for physical/moral clarity, not mental confusion.
Using it for blurry vision. → Kasunda / Boyaketa.
Nigotta describes the eye's appearance, not the vision itself.

Tips

Verb vs Adjective

Remember that 'nigotta' is technically a verb. In Japanese, verbs in the past tense often act like adjectives.

Sake connection

Associate 'nigotta' with 'Nigori sake' to remember it means cloudy/unfiltered.

Aesthetic Nigori

Don't always assume 'nigori' is a negative. In tea and sake, it can mean 'rich' and 'natural'.

Small tsu

Focus on the 'stop' in the middle of 'ni-got-ta'. It makes you sound much more native.

Kanji Radical

The water radical (氵) is your clue that this word usually relates to liquids.

Voice Quality

When you hear 'nigotta koe', think of a raspy, old, or sick voice.

Being Vague

If someone is 'kotoba o nigosu', they are likely hiding something or being polite/indirect.

Muddy Colors

In art class, 'iro ga nigoru' is what happens when you mix too many colors together.

Turbidity

In a lab, 'nigori' is the word for 'turbidity' or 'cloudiness' in a solution.

Air Quality

Use 'nigotta kuuki' for a room full of smoke or a city with heavy smog.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a **KNEE** (ni) hitting a **GOAT** (go) in a muddy pond. The water became **NIGOTTA** (muddy).

Visual Association

Visualize a bottle of Nigori-zake. The white, cloudy liquid is the perfect visual for 'nigotta'.

Word Web

Water Mud Cloudy Sake Voice Pollution Vague Impure

Challenge

Try to find three things in your house that are 'nigotta' (maybe orange juice with pulp, a dusty window, or a used paint-water jar).

Word Origin

From the Old Japanese verb 'nigoru'. The kanji 濁 consists of the water radical (氵) and the phonetic element 蜀 (shoku), which relates to a type of insect but here provides the sound and connotations of being thick or concentrated.

Original meaning: To be filled with sediment or to lose transparency.

Japonic

Cultural Context

Be careful when describing a person's eyes or voice as 'nigotta', as it can sound insulting or imply they are very ill/old.

English speakers often use 'muddy' for water but 'hoarse' for voices. Japanese uses 'nigotta' for both, which is a key difference.

Nigori-zake (cloudy sake) is a popular cultural export. The phrase 'Kotoba o nigosu' is frequently used in political dramas. Literary descriptions of the Sumida River often use 'nigotta' to describe urban decay.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Weather/Nature

川が濁る
濁流が流れる
海が濁った
池の濁り

Cooking

スープを濁らせない
濁りを取り除く
お茶が濁る
出汁が濁った

Health

声が濁っている
目が濁る
尿が濁る
意識が濁る

Communication

言葉を濁す
返事を濁す
真意を濁す
濁った表現

Art/Color

色が濁る
濁った色調
絵の具が濁る
透明感を失う

Conversation Starters

"「昨日の大雨で、近くの川がすごく濁っていましたね。」"

"「濁り酒と澄んだお酒、どちらの方が好きですか？」"

"「このスープ、少し濁ってしまいましたが味はどうですか？」"

"「都会の濁った空気に疲れたときは、どこへ行きますか？」"

"「彼の言葉を濁すような態度は、どう思いますか？」"

Journal Prompts

雨の日の後の風景を、濁ったという言葉を使って描写してください。

あなたが『心が濁った』と感じる瞬間はどんな時ですか？

日本の濁り酒を飲んだことがありますか？その感想を書いてください。

都会の空気と田舎の空気の違いについて、濁ったという言葉を使って説明してください。

誰かに質問して、言葉を濁された経験はありますか？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you should use 'yogoreta'. 'Nigotta' is only for things that were once transparent, like water, air, or a clear voice.

Not always! In 'Nigori-zake' (cloudy sake) or 'Nigori-yu' (cloudy hot springs), it is a desirable quality.

It refers to 'voiced' sounds in Japanese, like 'ga, za, da, ba'. They are called '濁音' (muddy sounds) because they vibrate the throat.

Use 'Sora ga kumotte iru'. 'Nigotta' is rarely used for the sky unless there is severe pollution.

It means to 'muddy your words', or to be intentionally vague to avoid a direct answer.

No, use 'boyaketa' for a blurry image. 'Nigotta' implies the substance itself is murky.

It is the past tense of the verb 'nigoru', but it functions as an adjective when modifying a noun (like 'muddy').

The most common opposite is 'sunda' (clear/pure) or 'toumei na' (transparent).

Yes, it can describe a 'corrupt' or 'impure' heart, though it is quite poetic or dramatic.

In ramen like Tonkotsu, the broth is 'nigotte iru' because the fat and marrow have emulsified, which is considered delicious.