Japanese word

錆びる

Pronunciation

Romajisabiru

Meaning

  • verbrust

Example

雨にぬれると鉄が錆びます。ame ni nu re ru to tetsu ga sa bi ma su

When iron gets wet in the rain, it rusts.

Illustration for 錆びる (rust)

More examples

使った工具をぬれたままにすると、すぐ錆びます。tsuka tta kō gu o nu re ta ma ma ni su ru to su gu sa bi ma su

If you leave used tools wet, they rust quickly.

Core concept

Describes metal gradually changing as oxidation creates a rough, reddish-brown layer on its surface.

Common phrases

  • ひどく錆びるhi do ku sa bi ru

    rust badly

Similar words

錆び付くsabitsuku: Metal develops a thick layer of rust and remains in that rusted state.
腐食するfushokusuru: Metal or another material is slowly eaten away by chemical action.
酸化するsankasuru: A substance undergoes a chemical change as it reacts with oxygen.

Definition in Japanese

鉄などの金属が酸化して表面に錆が生じる。tetsu na do no kin zoku ga san ka shi te hyō men ni sabi ga shō ji ru

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 錆びる (sabiru, "to rust") shares its root with 錆 (sabi, "rust"), the noun for the material that forms on metal.

Usage tips

  • Japanese distinguishes 錆びる (sabiru), meaning that metal develops rust, from 錆びさせる (sabiseru), meaning that someone or something causes metal to rust.

Related words

  • 錆びsabirustnoun

Word lists with this word