1.
to be stuffy; to be humid and hot
When enclosed spaces or clothing become uncomfortably warm and humid.
夏は靴の中が蒸れて気持ち悪い。
In summer, my shoes get stuffy and uncomfortable.
蒸れた空気で息苦しい。
The humid air makes it hard to breathe.
窓を閉めきった部屋は蒸れて耐えられなかった。
The room with all the windows shut was so stuffy I couldn't stand it.
2.
to steam; to become overheated
When skin or body parts become hot and sweaty due to poor ventilation.
マスクをしていると顔が蒸れる。
Wearing a mask makes my face get hot and stuffy.
長靴を履いていたら足が蒸れた。
My feet got sweaty from wearing rubber boots.
帽子をかぶり続けると頭が蒸れて痒くなる。
If you keep wearing a hat, your head gets sweaty and itchy.
蒸れる is an intransitive verb (自動詞). The transitive form is 蒸らす (to steam, to let something get humid).
ASPECT ({ている}):
蒸れている indicates an ongoing state of being stuffy or humid.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 靴が蒸れる - shoes get stuffy
- 部屋が蒸れる - room becomes stuffy
- 足が蒸れる - feet get sweaty
- 蒸れた暑さ - humid heat
RELATED WORDS:
- 湿る - to become damp (more general)
- 蒸し暑い - muggy, sultry (adjective)
- 蒸れる specifically implies uncomfortable heat and humidity combined