Entry
濡れ濡れ
nurenure
Describes a physical state of being thoroughly wet, moist, or dripping with water.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This term depicts a state where an object, surface, or body is extremely wet to the point of holding a lot of moisture. Derived by reduplicating the verb nureru (to get wet), it emphasizes the physical condition of being covered in water.
- Clothes or objects that are completely soaked
- Surfaces glistening with moisture
Sense Map
Wet Objects or Body
Being drenched or completely soaked due to rain, sweat, or water.
服が濡れ濡れになる
Wet Surfaces
A state where a surface looks visibly wet, often shining with moisture.
濡れ濡れと光る
Usage Note
How to Use
濡れ濡れになる
Used when something becomes thoroughly wet due to a cause like rain or sweat.
濡れ濡れだ
Used at the end of a sentence to state that the current condition is completely wet.
濡れ濡れと
Used as an adverb to describe how something shines or appears while wet.
濡れ濡れの + Noun
Used to modify a noun, describing that the object is in a wet state.
How to Use
Common Phrases
濡れ濡れの髪
Soaking wet hair
汗で濡れ濡れになる
To become wet with sweat
濡れ濡れと光る
To shine wetly
濡れ濡れの服
Very wet clothes
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Describing physical objects or hair wet from water. | neutral | Highlights the state of an object thoroughly saturated with water, sometimes to the point of glistening. |
| Social or adult slang contexts. | negative | Can carry sensual connotations, so it should be used very carefully by learners to avoid misunderstandings. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
びしょびしょ びしょびしょ / nearby | For messy wetness where water is heavily dripping. | Unlike 濡れ濡れ which focuses on the clinging moisture and shining surface, びしょびしょ highlights the high volume of water and a sense of messiness. | びしょびしょに濡れる |
じっとり じっとり / nearby | For uncomfortable, sticky dampness, such as heavy sweat in hot weather. | 濡れ濡れ implies highly visible physical wetness, while じっとり focuses more on the uncomfortable feeling of sticky humidity. | じっとりと汗をかく |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Assuming the word is always neutral in all conversations.
While it can refer to wet items, it occasionally carries mature sensual undertones in slang. For everyday safety, use びしょびしょ or the verb 濡れている for wet clothes or hair.
Using this term to describe high humidity in the air.
This word is exclusively for physical objects, surfaces, or bodies that are wet. For humid weather, use むしむし or 湿度が高い.
Examples
Examples
雨に降られて、服が濡れ濡れになった。
あめにふられて、ふくがぬれぬれになった。
I got caught in the rain, and my clothes got soaking wet.
LiteralShows the change of state where clothes become thoroughly wet due to rain.
シャワーから出たばかりで、犬の毛が濡れ濡れだ。
シャワーからでたばかりで、いぬのけがぬれぬれだ。
Just out of the shower, the dog's fur is completely wet.
VisualFocuses on the visual appearance of the wet fur.
汗で濡れ濡れになったシャツを着替えた。
あせでぬれぬれになったシャツをきがえた。
I changed the shirt that was soaked with sweat.
LiteralDescribes the wet state caused by a large amount of sweat.
濡れ濡れと光る黒髪が美しい。
ぬれぬれとひかるくろかみがうつくしい。
The black hair shining wetly is beautiful.
VisualUsed as an adverb to emphasize the glistening moisture.
床が濡れ濡れになっているので、滑らないように気をつけてください。
ゆかがぬれぬれになっているので、すべらないようにきをつけてください。
The floor is completely wet, so please be careful not to slip.
VisualDescribes the floor surface being covered in water.
Similar Words
しっぽり
shippori
Describes being pleasantly moist or soaking gently, as well as a quiet, emotionally close, and intimate atmosphere.
じっとり
jittori
Jittori means being unpleasantly damp, clammy, or sticky, especially from sweat or humidity. Related to dampness, but じっとり emphasizes an uncomfortable, sticky feeling.
じとっと
jitotto
Describes an uncomfortable, clammy stickiness, as well as a figuratively gloomy atmosphere or reproachful gaze.
びしょびしょ
bishobisho
Bishobisho describes a state of being completely soaked or thoroughly drenched. Both mean soaking wet, but びしょびしょ emphasizes a messy, dripping state.
Questions
Can I use 濡れ濡れ to describe a rainy day?
No. This word is strictly used to describe objects or bodies that have gotten wet, not the weather conditions.
Is 濡れ濡れ the same as びしょびしょ?
Both mean wet, but びしょびしょ implies a messy, actively dripping wetness, whereas 濡れ濡れ emphasizes an even layer of moisture clinging to a surface.
Is it safe to use 濡れ濡れ in everyday conversation?
While understood when talking about hair or clothes, it can sound slightly sensual in certain contexts. Many native speakers prefer using びしょびしょ or simply the verb 濡れる to prevent misunderstandings.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2845638
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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- がたんごとん (gatangoton)
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