Japanese word

枯れる

Pronunciation

Romajikareru

Meaning

  • verbwither

Example

水をやらないと、花が枯れます。mizu o ya ra na i to hana ga ka re ma su

If you do not water them, the flowers wither.

Illustration for 枯れる (wither)

More examples

庭の木が暑さで枯れてしまいました。niwa no ki ga atsu sa de ka re te shi ma i ma shi ta

The tree in the yard withered from the heat.

Core concept

Shows something gradually losing the moisture and vitality that keep it fresh and growing.

Common phrases

  • 枯れた花ka re ta hana

    withered flowers

  • 枯れた木ka re ta ki

    withered trees

  • 枯れた葉ka re ta ha

    withered leaves

Similar words

萎れるshioreru: To lose firmness and freshness, especially in a plant or flower, while remaining capable of recovery.
萎むshibomu: To become smaller and less open as a flower or leaf loses moisture.
干上がるhiagaru: To become completely dry when a river, pond, or well loses all or nearly all of its water.

Definition in Japanese

植物などが水分を失って、しおれたり生き生きした状態を失ったりすること。shoku butsu na do ga sui bun o ushina tte shi o re ta ri i ki i ki shi ta jō tai o ushina tta ri su ru ko to

Word origin

枯れる (kareru) is a native Japanese verb historically related to 枯る (karu, "to wither"), an older form for losing life or moisture.

Usage tips

  • The verb 枯れる (kareru) can describe a stream or well that dries up, not only a plant that withers.

Other meanings

  • dieverb
  • dry upverb

Word lists with this word