1.
to become grimy, to get dingy, to become slightly dirty
To gradually become dirty or shabby in appearance over time. Describes a state of being not filthy but noticeably unclean or worn, often from neglect.
壁が薄汚れている。
The wall is grimy.
薄汚れたシャツを着た男がいた。
There was a man wearing a dingy shirt.
長年使われていないその建物は薄汚れていた。
The building, unused for many years, had become grimy.
USAGE:
薄汚れる emphasizes a gradual, mild dirtiness — not filthy, but noticeably unkempt. The past participle form 薄汚れた is very common as a modifier to describe shabby or grimy things. The prefix 薄 softens the degree, implying the dirtiness is faint or spread thin.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 薄汚れた服: dingy clothes
- 薄汚れた壁: grimy walls
- 薄汚れた路地: dingy alley