Translation and Meaning of: ずぶ濡れ - zubunure

If you have ever watched a Japanese drama or read a manga, you have probably come across the word ずぶぬれ (zubunure). This expression describes something or someone completely soaked, but it goes beyond a simple translation. In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and cultural uses of this word, as well as tips for memorizing it effectively. Whether you are studying Japanese or just curious about the language, understanding terms like ずぶぬれ can enrich your vocabulary and your perception of Japanese culture.

Meaning and usage of ずぶぬれ

The word ずぶぬれ is used to describe something or someone that is completely soaked, often due to rain, sweat, or even tears. Unlike more generic terms like 濡れる (nureru), which simply means "to wet," ずぶぬれ carries a greater intensity. Imagine coming out from under a downpour without an umbrella – that’s exactly the feeling the word conveys.

In everyday Japanese life, ずぶぬれ appears in various situations. It can be used to describe clothes soaked after a rainy day or even a dog that just came out of a river. The expression is also common in informal dialogues, especially when someone wants to emphasize how wet they got. In more dramatic contexts, such as in animes or movies, it can be used to convey a sense of vulnerability or exhaustion.

Origin and structure of the word

The etymology of ずぶぬれ is interesting and helps to understand its meaning. The prefix ずぶ (zubu) intensifies the word 濡れ (nure), which means "wet." This construction is similar to other Japanese expressions that use prefixes for emphasis, such as ずぶとい (zubutoi, "extremely stubborn"). The kanji 濡, present in 濡れる, is composed of the water radical (氵) and the character 需, which refers to moisture and absorption.

It is worth noting that ずぶぬれ is primarily written in hiragana, but the kanji ずぶ濡れ can also be found in some contexts. This flexibility in writing reflects the colloquial nature of the word, which is more commonly used in speech than in formal texts. If you are learning Japanese, focusing on the hiragana version is the most practical and safest choice.

Tips for memorizing ずぶぬれ

An effective way to memorize ずぶぬれ is to associate it with vivid situations. Think of a movie scene where the main character gets caught in a torrential rain – this image helps to fix not only the meaning but also the intensity of the word. Another tip is to create flashcards with sentences like 雨でずぶぬれになった (Ame de zubunure ni natta – "I got soaked because of the rain").

Furthermore, hearing the word in real contexts can accelerate learning. Animes like "Your Name" (Kimi no Na wa) or dramas with rain scenes often use ずぶぬれ in dialogues. Paying attention to these moments not only reinforces vocabulary but also shows how the word is used naturally in everyday Japanese.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• ずぶぬれ (zubunure) - Completely wet.
• ずぶ濡れる (zubunureru) - Get completely wet.
• びしょ濡れ (bishonure) - Completely wet.
• びしょぬれ (bishonure) - Get completely wet.
• びしょびしょになる (bishobisho ni naru) - To be soaked (the state of being extremely wet).
• びしょ濡れる (bishonureru) - Get completely wet.

ずぶ濡れ

Romaji: zubunure
Kana: ずぶぬれ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: embedded; dripping wet

Meaning in English: soaked;dripping wet

Definition: That I got wet.

Example Sentences - (ずぶ濡れ) zubunure

See below some example sentences:

雨でずぶ濡れになった。

Ame de zubunure ni natta

I was completely soaked by the rain.

It was so wet due to the rain.

• 雨 - rain
• で - particle indicating the means or tool used to perform an action
• ずぶ濡れ - completely wet
• に - particle indicating the state or condition in which something or someone is
• なった - past tense of the verb "naru", which means "to become"