萌(も)える

もえる
ichidan verb
to sprout, to feel passion
1. to sprout, to bud
For plants to begin growing.
草木(くさき)が萌(も)える。
Plants are sprouting.
春(はる)に新芽(しんめ)が萌(も)える。
New buds sprout in spring.
若草(わかくさ)が萌(も)える季節(きせつ)。
The season when young grass sprouts.
木々(きぎ)が萌(も)え始(はじ)める。
The trees are beginning to bud.
萌黄色(もえぎいろ)の葉(は)。
Fresh green-colored leaves.
2. to feel passion for
Slang for enthusiasm about anime/hobbies.
このキャラに萌(も)える。
I feel passion for this character.
萌(も)え絵(え)が好(す)きだ。
I like moe-style illustrations.
萌(も)え要素(ようそ)がある。
It has moe elements.
萌(も)えるキャラクター。
A lovable character (in otaku sense).
萌(も)えゲームをプレイする。
To play a moe game.

萌(も)える has both a traditional meaning (to sprout) and a modern slang meaning (to feel passion).

MEANINGS:
1. Traditional: for plants to bud or sprout in spring
2. Slang: to feel strong affection/enthusiasm, especially for anime characters

TRANSITIVITY:

  • Type: 自動詞(じどうし) (intransitive)

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 草木(くさき)が萌(も)える: plants sprout
  • 萌黄色(もえぎいろ): fresh green color (of new leaves)
  • このキャラに萌(も)える: to feel passion for this character
  • 萌(も)え絵(え): moe-style illustration

HOMOPHONE (different kanji):

  • 燃(も)える: to burn (fire)

CULTURAL NOTE:
The slang 萌(も)え originated in otaku culture and expresses affection for fictional characters.

core
Added 2026.1.9 17:58 · Revised 2026.2.23 11:30
02000/02434_moeru