JLPT · Level 48
45 words
Japanese word
しぼむ
Pronunciation
Romajishibomu
Meaning
- verbwilt
Example
花がしぼみました。hana ga shi bo mi ma shi ta
The flower wilted.
More examples
水をやらないと、花はすぐにしぼみます。mizu o ya ra na i to hana wa su gu ni shi bo mi ma su
If it is not watered, the flower wilts quickly.
Core concept
Centers on something losing its fullness or force and becoming smaller, weaker, or less vivid.
Common phrases
しぼむ花shi bo mu hana
a wilting flower
しぼむ風船shi bo mu fū sen
a deflating balloon
Similar words
しおれるshioreru: To droop and lose freshness, usually because a plant lacks water.
萎えるnaeru: To lose strength, energy, or the will to act.
衰えるotoroeru: To gradually become weaker or less active over time.
Definition in Japanese
ふくらみや張り、勢いなどが失われて、縮んだり弱まったりする。fu ku ra mi ya ba ri ikio i na do ga ushina wa re te chiji n da ri yowa ma tta ri su ru
Word origin
The native Japanese verb しぼむ (shibomu, "to wilt") has no established foreign source; its older formation is uncertain, but its long-standing sense is losing fullness and shrinking.
Usage tips
- English wilt usually describes plants or a person's energy, whereas Japanese しぼむ (shibomu) also describes a balloon losing air and hopes losing force.
Other meanings
- deflateverb
- fadeverb
Opposites
- 咲くsakubloomverb