染(し)み付(つ)く

しみつく
verb (godan, intransitive)
to become ingrained; to soak in; to become a habit
1. to become ingrained; to soak into; to permeate
For a stain, smell, or habit to become deeply embedded and difficult to remove. Used both literally for physical substances and figuratively for habits, memories, and ways of thinking.
タバコの匂(にお)いが服(ふく)に染(し)み付(つ)いた。
The smell of cigarettes has permeated my clothes.
長年(ながねん)の習慣(しゅうかん)が体(からだ)に染(し)み付(つ)いている。
Years of habit have become ingrained in my body.
幼(おさな)い頃(ころ)の記憶(きおく)が心(こころ)に染(し)み付(つ)いている。
Childhood memories are deeply ingrained in my heart.

COMPOUND VERB STRUCTURE: 染(し)みる (to soak in/permeate) + 付(つ)く (to stick/attach)

TRANSITIVITY: Intransitive verb (自動詞(じどうし)).

CONJUGATION: Godan verb (-く type)

  • 染(し)み付(つ)かない (negative)
  • 染(し)み付(つ)きます (polite)
  • 染(し)み付(つ)いて (te-form)
  • 染(し)み付(つ)いた (past)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 匂(にお)いが染(し)み付(つ)く - smell permeates
  • 習慣(しゅうかん)が染(し)み付(つ)く - habit becomes ingrained
  • 体(からだ)に染(し)み付(つ)く - to become second nature
  • 記憶(きおく)が染(し)み付(つ)く - memory becomes deeply embedded

NUANCE:
Implies something that has become so deeply embedded that it's difficult or impossible to remove or change. Often suggests a permanent or long-lasting state.

KANJI NOTE:
Also written as 染(し)みつく or しみつく.

REGISTER:
Neutral. Common in both spoken and written Japanese.

Related Words

Related: 染(し)みる (to soak in)
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Added 2026.1.19 17:11 · Revised 2026.2.19 21:42
07000/07416_shimitsuku