Japanese Conversation · Level 126
60 words
Japanese word
澄む
Pronunciation
Romajisumu
Meaning
- verbbecome clear
Example
雨の後、空気が澄みます。ame no ato kū ki ga su mi ma su
The air becomes clear after the rain.
More examples
冬になると、この川の水が澄みます。fuyu ni na ru to ko no kawa no mizu ga su mi ma su
When winter comes, the water in this river becomes clear.
Core concept
Expresses a change from murky or hazy to clear, allowing light and distant details to pass through more easily.
Common phrases
空気が澄むkū ki ga su mu
air becomes clear
水が澄むmizu ga su mu
water becomes clear
澄んだ水su n da mizu
clear water
Similar words
透き通るsukitōru: It becomes transparent and allows light or objects behind it to be seen clearly.
澄み渡るsumiwataru: It becomes entirely clear over a wide space, such as the sky or air.
Definition in Japanese
空気や液体などの曇りや濁りが消え、見通しがよくなる。kū ki ya eki tai na do no kumo ri ya nigo ri ga ki e mi tō shi ga yo ku na ru
Word origin
澄む (sumu) belongs to native Japanese vocabulary rather than being a later loanword; it is written with 澄 (chō, "clear"), but a more specific historical derivation is not certain.
Usage tips
- When 澄む (sumu) describes the air, it often suggests sharper distant views after rain rather than simply clean air.