しんなり

しんなり
adverb, onomatopoeia
wilted, softened, limp
1. wilted, softened, limp
Describes the state of something becoming soft and pliable, especially vegetables or other foods losing their firmness through cooking or exposure to heat and salt.
野菜(やさい)がしんなりするまで(いた)める。
Stir-fry until the vegetables are wilted.
(しお)をかけたらキャベツがしんなりした。
The cabbage wilted after I added salt.
(たま)ねぎがしんなりしたら、(にく)(くわ)えてさらに(いた)めてください。
Once the onions have softened, add the meat and continue stir-frying.

しんなり describes food becoming soft and pliable through cooking, salting, or wilting. Very common in recipes and cooking instructions.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • しんなりする: to become wilted/soft
  • しんなりするまで(いた)める: to stir-fry until wilted
  • しんなりとした: softened, wilted (adjective form)

OFTEN USED WITH:

  • 野菜(やさい): vegetables (general)
  • キャベツ: cabbage
  • (たま)ねぎ: onion
  • 白菜(はくさい): Chinese cabbage
  • ほうれん(そう): spinach

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • くたくた: overcooked, very soft (more extreme than しんなり)
  • しなしな: wilted, droopy (often implies undesired limpness)
  • しなやか: supple, flexible (positive nuance, not limited to food)