Japanese word

しみる

Pronunciation

Romajishimiru

Meaning

  • verbsoak into

Example

雨水が靴にしみます。ama mizu ga kutsu ni shi mi ma su

Rainwater soaks into my shoes.

Illustration for しみる (soak into)

More examples

インクが紙の裏までしみました。i n ku ga kami no ura ma de shi mi ma shi ta

The ink soaked through to the back of the paper.

Core concept

It marks an effect that goes beyond the surface and is felt deeply in the body or the heart.

Common phrases

  • 紙にしみるkami ni shi mi ru

    soak into paper

  • 布にしみるnuno ni shi mi ru

    soak into cloth

  • 目にしみるme ni shi mi ru

    sting the eyes

Similar words

染み込むshimikomu: To enter and spread through a material, often from its surface.
染み渡るshimiwataru: To spread throughout an object so that its effect reaches every part.
浸透するshintōsuru: To penetrate and spread through the inner parts of a material or substance.

Definition in Japanese

液体などが物の内側へ入り込む。刺激が体に感じられる。また、感情が心に深く感じられる。eki tai na do ga mono no uchi gawa e hai ri ko mu shi geki ga karada ni kan ji ra re ru ma ta kan jō ga kokoro ni fuka ku kan ji ra re ru

Word origin

The native Japanese verb しみる (shimiru) is traced to the older verb 染む (shimu, "to soak in"), whose sense concerns entering or spreading inward.

Usage tips

  • The phrase 歯にしみる (ha ni shimiru) describes sharp discomfort caused by cold or hot food, making it useful for talking about tooth sensitivity.

Other meanings

  • stingverb
  • moveverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word