(なまがわ)

なまがわき
noun, adjective-no
half-dried, damp
1. half-dried, damp, not fully dry
The state of something that has not completely dried, especially laundry. Often associated with an unpleasant musty smell.
洗濯物(せんたくもの)生乾(なまがわ)きだ。
The laundry is still damp.
生乾(なまがわ)きの(ふく)(にお)いがする。
Half-dried clothes smell bad.
梅雨(つゆ)時期(じき)洗濯物(せんたくもの)生乾(なまがわ)きになりやすいので、部屋干(へやぼ)しには除湿機(じょしつき)使(つか)う。
During the rainy season, laundry tends to stay damp, so I use a dehumidifier when drying clothes indoors.

生乾(なまがわ)き is composed of (なま) (raw, half-) + (かわ)き (drying).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 生乾(なまがわ)きの(にお)い: musty smell from damp clothes
  • 生乾(なまがわ)きになる: to become half-dried
  • 生乾(なまがわ)きを(ふせ)ぐ: to prevent damp laundry

USAGE: A very common term in daily life, especially during 梅雨(つゆ) (rainy season) when drying laundry outdoors is difficult. The musty smell associated with 生乾(なまがわ)き is a frequent topic of conversation and advertising for laundry products.