Japanese word

消える

Pronunciation

Romajikieru

Meaning

  • verbdisappear

Example

雪が消えます。yuki ga ki e ma su

The snow disappears.

Illustration for 消える (disappear)

More examples

電池が切れると、時計の表示が消えます。den chi ga ki re ru to tokei no hyō ji ga ki e ma su

When the battery runs out, the clock display disappears.

Core concept

Presents a state in which something that was present, visible, or lit is no longer so.

Common phrases

  • 電気が消えるden ki ga ki e ru

    the light goes out

  • 画面から消えるga men ka ra ki e ru

    disappear from the screen

Similar words

なくなるnakunaru: To become absent, unavailable, or no longer present.

Definition in Japanese

物や現象が、あった状態からなくなること。mono ya gen shō ga a tta jō tai ka ra na ku na ru ko to

Word origin

消える (kieru) is a native Japanese verb related to the older form 消ゆ (kiyu), which means "to vanish" or "to go out".

Usage tips

  • 消える (kieru) is an intransitive verb, so it describes a change that happens to something rather than an action performed on it.

Other meanings

  • go outverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 消え方kiekataway of disappearingnoun

Word lists with this word