染(し)みる

しみる
verb (ichidan)
to soak in; to sting; to pierce (the heart)
1. to soak in, to permeate, to seep into
For a liquid, flavor, or substance to gradually penetrate into something.
大根(だいこん)に味(あじ)が染(し)みている。
The flavor has soaked into the daikon.
雨(あめ)が服(ふく)に染(し)みてきた。
The rain started soaking through my clothes.
煮物(にもの)は一晩(ひとばん)置(お)くと、もっと味(あじ)が染(し)みておいしくなる。
If you let simmered dishes sit overnight, the flavors soak in more and it becomes tastier.
2. to sting, to smart, to irritate
For something to cause a stinging or smarting sensation in the eyes, skin, or a wound.
タマネギを切(き)ると目(め)に染(し)みる。
Cutting onions stings the eyes.
傷口(きずぐち)に消毒液(しょうどくえき)が染(し)みて痛(いた)い。
The disinfectant stings the wound and it hurts.
煙(けむり)が目(め)に染(し)みて涙(なみだ)が出(で)た。
The smoke stung my eyes and made me tear up.
3. to touch the heart, to move deeply, to sink in
For an experience, words, or feeling to deeply affect one emotionally.
疲(つか)れた体(からだ)に温泉(おんせん)が染(し)みる。
The hot spring soothes my tired body.
あの歌(うた)の歌詞(かし)は心(こころ)に染(し)みる。
The lyrics of that song touch the heart.
年(とし)を取(と)ると、親(おや)のありがたさが身(み)に染(し)みてわかるようになる。
As you get older, you come to deeply appreciate your parents' kindness.

Also written as 沁(し)みる or 浸(し)みる. The kanji can vary by meaning, but 染(し)みる is the most common general-purpose spelling.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 身(み)に染(し)みる: to feel deeply, to hit home
  • 心(こころ)に染(し)みる: to touch the heart
  • 骨身(ほねみ)に染(し)みる: to feel to the bone
  • 目(め)に染(し)みる: to sting the eyes

CONJUGATION:

  • 染(し)みない（否定(ひてい)）
  • 染(し)みます（丁寧(ていねい)）
  • 染(し)みて（て形(けい)）
  • 染(し)みた（過去(かこ)）
general
Added 2026.2.7 15:48
10000/10354_shimiru