1.
muddy, covered in mud, mud-covered state
The state of being covered in mud, or mud itself (in childish speech). Very common in contexts involving children playing outside.
どろんこになった。
I got all muddy.
どろんこ describes the state of being covered in mud, or mud itself in a playful, childish sense. It has a warm, nostalgic quality associated with children playing outdoors.
Forms
泥 (mud) + んこ (emphatic/childish suffix). Can also be written as 泥んこ.
Common expressions
- どろんこになる: to get all muddy
- どろんこ遊び: mud play (a common childhood activity)
- どろんこ道: muddy road
- どろんこだらけ: covered in mud everywhere
Register
Informal, with a childish or affectionate quality. Adults might use it nostalgically or when talking to/about children. For neutral descriptions, use 泥だらけ (muddy, covered in mud) instead.
Similar words
Related Words
Compare:
泥 (mud)
Compare:
泥だらけ (covered in mud)
Compare:
ぬかるみ (muddy ground, quagmire)