Japanese Conversation · Level 12
90 words
Japanese word
こぼれる
Pronunciation
Romajikoboreru
Meaning
- verbspill
Example
コップの水がこぼれます。ko ppu no mizu ga ko bo re ma su
Water spills from the cup.
More examples
話しているうちに本音がこぼれました。hana shi te i ru u chi ni hon ne ga ko bo re ma shi ta
While we were talking, my true feelings slipped out.
Core concept
Shows that liquid or contained material leaves its proper place by flowing, falling, or overflowing without a stated agent.
Common phrases
涙がこぼれるnamida ga ko bo re ru
tears spill
本音がこぼれるhon ne ga ko bo re ru
true feelings slip out
言葉がこぼれるkoto ba ga ko bo re ru
words slip out
笑みがこぼれるe mi ga ko bo re ru
a smile breaks out
Similar words
こぼすkobosu: To cause liquid or contained material to leave its proper place.
あふれるafureru: To flow out because a container or space cannot hold the contents.
漏れるmoreru: To escape through a crack, opening, or other unintended path.
Definition in Japanese
容器などの中にあったものが、外へ流れ出たり落ち出たりする。yō ki na do no naka ni a tta mo no ga soto e naga re de ta ri o chi de ta ri su ru
Word origin
The native Japanese verb こぼれる (koboreru) developed from the older verb こぼる (koboru), which referred to spilling or overflowing, and came to denote contents escaping by themselves.
Usage tips
- The intransitive pattern in こぼれる (koboreru) also applies beyond cups, as in tears or words that escape naturally, whereas こぼす (kobosu) presents someone as the cause.
Other meanings
- overflowverb
- fall outverb
Related words
- こぼれkoborespillagenoun