Translation and Meaning of: 泥 - doro

If you are studying Japanese or simply curious about the language, you may have come across the word 泥[どろ]. This word, which seems simple at first glance, has interesting meanings and uses in everyday Japanese. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, kanji writing, and how it appears in different contexts. Additionally, we will see some tips for memorizing it and its role in Japanese culture.

泥 [どろ] is one of those words that can go unnoticed at first, but carries a wealth of meanings and applications. Whether in everyday conversations or in more specific expressions, understanding its use can enrich your vocabulary and comprehension of the language. Let's dive into the details of this word and discover why it is so relevant.

Meaning and use of 泥[どろ]

In its most basic form, 泥[どろ] means "mud" or "clay." It's that wet and sticky material we find after rain or in flooded areas. However, its use goes beyond the literal sense. In Japanese, it can also be used metaphorically to describe something dirty, messy, or even corrupt, depending on the context.

A common example is the expression 泥だらけ[どろだらけ], which describes something covered in mud, whether literally (like clothes after a walk in the rain) or figuratively (like a complicated situation). This flexibility of use allows the word to appear in different contexts, from informal conversations to more formal texts, always carrying a nuance of disorder or impurity.

Origin and writing of the kanji 泥

The kanji 泥 is composed of the radical 氵( which indicates a relation to water) and the component 尼. This combination suggests an association with something wet and sticky, reinforcing its primary meaning. The origin of the kanji dates back to ancient Chinese, where it already carried the idea of mud or dirt, remaining virtually unchanged over the centuries.

It is worth noting that, although it is a relatively common kanji, it is not among the most frequent in everyday Japanese. This means that, while it is important to know it, you will likely not see it as often as other basic kanjis. Still, learning it is essential for those who wish to expand their vocabulary and understand more specific expressions.

Cultural curiosities and memorization tips

An interesting curiosity about 泥[どろ] is its appearance in Japanese proverbs and expressions. For example, the phrase 泥を塗る[どろをぬる] literally means "to cover with mud," but it is used metaphorically to indicate that someone is tarnishing another person's reputation. This kind of use shows how the word is rooted not only in vocabulary but also in the way Japanese people express abstract ideas.

To memorize 泥[どろ], a useful tip is to associate the radical 氵with water and remember that mud is basically dirt mixed with water. Another strategy is to create simple sentences, like 靴が泥で汚れた[くつがどろでよごれた] ("the shoes got dirty with mud"), to fix the meaning in real contexts. Repeating these associations mentally can help consolidate the learning.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 泥土 (Doro) - Soil or earth, especially when moist.
• ぬかるみ (Nukarumi) - Mud or sludge, an area where the ground is wet and sticky.
• どろ (Doro) - Mud or clay, generally referring to a viscous and wet substance.
• どろんこ (Doronkō) - Muddy or sludgy substance, often referring to something covered in mud.
• ぬめり (Numeri) - Viscosity or sticky sensation, similar to what is found in substances like slime.
• どろだらけ (Dorodarake) - Completely covered in mud, suggests an excessive amount of clay.
• どろどろ (Dorodoro) - Referring to something extremely viscous or in a muddy state.
• どろりとした (Dorori to shita) - Describes a thick and muddy consistency.
• どろりとした水 (Dorori to shita mizu) - Water with a viscous consistency, not completely liquid.
• どろりとした液体 (Dorori to shita ekitai) - Liquid with thickness, similar to a mix of water and mud.
• どろりと流れる (Dorori to nagareru) - Flow in a viscous manner, like a thick liquid.
• どろりとした物質 (Dorori to shita busshitsu) - A material that has a thick and sticky texture.
• どろりとした感触 (Dorori to shita kanshoku) - Feeling of something thick and sticky to the touch.
• どろりとした足跡 (Dorori to shita ashiato) - Marks left that reveal a muddy consistency.

泥

Romaji: doro
Kana: どろ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: mud

Meaning in English: mud

Definition: A state where soil and water mix.

Example Sentences - (泥) doro

See below some example sentences:

彼は泥棒を捕まえた。

Kare wa dorobō o tsukamaeta

He captured the thief.

He caught a thief.

• 彼 (kare) - he
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 泥棒 (dorobou) - Ladrão
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 捕まえた (tsukamaeta) - captured

彼は泥棒を捕った。

Kare wa dorobou o toratta

He captured the thief.

He caught a thief.

• 彼 - The Japanese pronoun that means "he" is 彼 (かれ, kare).
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 泥棒 - Japanese noun meaning "thief"
• を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 捕まった - Japanese verb meaning "captured"

泥棒は悪いことです。

Dorobou wa warui koto desu

Stealing is a bad thing.

A thief is bad.

• 泥棒 - means "thief" in Japanese.
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "thief".
• 悪い - adjective meaning "bad".
• こと - Noun meaning "thing" or "fact".
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form.

泥だらけの靴を洗いました。

Dei darake no kutsu wo araimashita

I washed my muddy shoes.

Crazy muddy shoes.

• 泥 - mud
• だらけ - Full of
• の - Possession particle
• 靴 - shoes
• を - direct object particle
• 洗いました - washed