Japanese word

萎える

Pronunciation

Romajinaeru

Meaning

  • verbfeel deflated

Example

雨の日はなんだか萎えます。ame no hi wa na n da ka na e ma su

I feel kind of deflated on rainy days.

Illustration for 萎える (feel deflated)

More examples

楽しみにしていた映画が期待外れで、すっかり萎えました。tano shi mi ni shi te i ta ei ga ga ki tai hazu re de su kka ri na e ma shi ta

The movie I had been looking forward to was disappointing, and I felt completely deflated.

Core concept

It presents enthusiasm or strength as something that can wilt away, leaving a person without energy or drive.

Common phrases

  • 気持ちが萎えるki mo chi ga na e ru

    feel deflated

  • 一気に萎えるik ki ni na e ru

    feel deflated all at once

Similar words

へこむhekomu: To feel discouraged or lose confidence after a setback.
落ち込むochikomu: To become emotionally low after trouble, failure, or disappointment.
しょげるshogeru: To become visibly downcast after a disappointment or failure.

Definition in Japanese

意欲や気力が失われ、元気や勢いがなくなる。i yoku ya ki ryoku ga ushina wa re gen ki ya ikio i ga na ku na ru

Word origin

The Japanese verb 萎える (naeru) continues the older verb 萎ゆ (nayu), "to wither" or "to weaken," and extends physical weakness to spirit and enthusiasm.

Usage tips

  • In casual speech, 萎える (naeru) often describes motivation dropping after an anticlimax or disappointment, rather than sadness alone.

Other meanings

  • lose enthusiasmverb
  • become weakverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 萎えnaeloss of enthusiasmnoun

Word lists with this word