Japanese word

しみ

Pronunciation

Romajishimi

Meaning

  • nounstain

Example

白いシャツにしみがあります。shiro i sha tsu ni shi mi ga a ri ma su

There is a stain on my white shirt.

Illustration for しみ (stain)

More examples

食事のあとで、ズボンのしみをすぐに落としました。shoku ji no a to de zu bo n no shi mi o su gu ni o to shi ma shi ta

I removed the stain from my pants right after the meal.

Core concept

A stain is an unwanted mark that remains on a surface after a substance changes its color or appearance.

Common phrases

  • しみを落とすshi mi o o to su

    remove a stain

  • しみがつくshi mi ga tsu ku

    get a stain

Similar words

汚れyogore: An unwanted mark or dirty area on a surface caused by dust, contact, or a spilled substance.
斑点hanten: A small, usually distinct spot of a different color on a surface or body.

Definition in Japanese

物の表面に付着した汚れや色が、簡単には消えない跡となったもの。mono no hyō men ni fu chaku shi ta yogo re ya iro ga kan tan ni wa ki e na i ato to na tta mo no

Word origin

The Japanese noun しみ (shimi, "stain") is connected with 染む (shimu, "to soak in or take on color"), a native verb describing the change that leaves such a mark.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, しみ (shimi) can refer to a mark on fabric, a wall, or skin, while the surrounding words identify which kind of surface is meant.

Other meanings

  • spotnoun
  • smudgenoun

Word lists with this word