Entry
蒸し蒸し
mushimushi
Describes an uncomfortably hot, sticky, and humid environment.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A word used to describe weather or an environment that is very hot, humid, and sticky, making you feel sweaty and uncomfortable. It is most commonly used to talk about the Japanese summer or the rainy season.
- hot and humid weather
- stuffy indoor air
Sense Map
Weather (Hot & Humid)
Used to describe outdoor weather that is uncomfortably hot with high humidity.
毎日蒸し蒸しする。
Indoor Environment
Used to describe a room or closed space that feels stuffy, hot, and lacks ventilation.
部屋が蒸し蒸ししている。
Usage Note
How to Use
蒸し蒸しする
Used as a verb to state that it feels hot and humid.
蒸し蒸ししている
Describes the ongoing state of being hot and humid.
蒸し蒸しした + noun
Used as a modifier to describe a noun (e.g., a muggy day).
蒸し蒸しと + verb
Functions as an adverb modifying a following verb.
How to Use
Common Phrases
蒸し蒸しする
to feel hot and humid
蒸し蒸しした日
muggy day
毎日蒸し蒸しする
to be muggy every day
蒸し蒸しと暑い
hot and sultry
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Summer & Rainy Season | negative | Expresses discomfort and sluggishness caused by the muggy weather. |
| Indoor spaces | negative | Describes the unpleasant stuffiness of a room without air conditioning or ventilation. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
じめじめ じめじめ / similar | When focusing on dampness, wetness, or a gloomy feeling, regardless of heat. | Jimejime emphasizes being wet or damp, while mushimushi specifically requires heat along with the humidity. | じめじめした日 |
むんむん むんむん / similar | When an enclosed space is filled with intense body heat, strong smells, or steam. | Munmun implies a stifling concentration of heat or odor, whereas mushimushi is just general muggy climate or air. | 熱気でむんむんする |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for dry summer heat.
If it's hot but dry, use 暑い (atsui) instead. Mushimushi is strictly for high humidity.
Using it for a cold, damp day.
Mushimushi requires heat. For cold and damp days, use じめじめ (jimejime).
Examples
Examples
今日は朝から蒸し蒸しする。
きょう は あさ から むしむし する。
It has been hot and muggy since the morning today.
LiteralDescribes daily weather.
日本の夏は蒸し蒸しして過ごしにくい。
にほん の なつ は むしむし して すごしにくい。
Summer in Japan is hot and sticky, making it hard to endure.
LiteralExplains seasonal characteristics.
窓を閉めていたので、部屋の中が蒸し蒸ししている。
まど を しめて いた ので、 へや の なか が むしむし して いる。
Because the windows were closed, the inside of the room is stuffy and hot.
LiteralDescribes indoor conditions.
雨の後は、空気が蒸し蒸しする。
あめ の あと は、 くうき が むしむし する。
After the rain, the air feels muggy.
LiteralThe rise in humidity after rain.
蒸し蒸しした日が続いています。
むしむし した ひ が つづいて います。
The hot and muggy days are continuing.
LiteralUsed as an adjective (mushimushi shita).
Similar Words
むんむん
munmun
Stuffy, steamy, or filled with a strong aura, scent, or heat. Trapped heat in an enclosed space, often with stuffy air.
じめじめ
jimejime
Describes an uncomfortably damp, humid environment, or a gloomy, persistently negative personality or mood. Focuses on dampness and wetness, not necessarily hot.
Questions
Is mushimushi the same as atsui (hot)?
No. "Atsui" simply means hot, which can be dry heat. "Mushimushi" specifically means hot and sticky due to high humidity.
Can I use mushimushi in winter?
Generally no. Mushimushi requires a sensation of heat. For a damp, cold winter day, "jimejime" is more appropriate.
Can mushimushi be used in a positive way?
No, it almost always describes an uncomfortable, unpleasant physical sensation.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1356880
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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