1.
drop; droplet; drip
A small drop of liquid, such as a raindrop, teardrop, or dewdrop. Carries a poetic, evocative quality and is common in literary and artistic contexts.
葉っぱから雫が落ちた。
A droplet fell from the leaf.
雨の雫が窓ガラスを伝っている。
Raindrops are running down the window glass.
朝露の雫が光に照らされて、宝石のように輝いていた。
The dewdrops were lit by the light, sparkling like jewels.
A poetic word for a drop of liquid. While 滴 is the standard kanji, 雫 (which combines 雨 and 下) is widely recognized and often preferred for its visual beauty, especially in names and titles.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 雨の雫 — raindrop
- 涙の雫 — teardrop
- 露の雫 — dewdrop
- 雫が落ちる — a drop falls
- 雫が垂れる — a drop drips down
KANJI NOTE:
The kanji 雫 is a Japanese-made character (kokuji) combining rain (雨) and down (下). The alternative kanji 滴 is more standard in dictionaries but 雫 is popular in creative contexts.
AS A NAME:
雫 is a popular feminine given name in Japan, evoking purity and beauty. It gained wider recognition through the Studio Ghibli film "Whisper of the Heart" (耳をすませば), whose protagonist is named 雫.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 滴 — drop (same word, different kanji, more standard)
- 一滴 — a single drop (more formal/measured)
Related Words
Related:
滴 (same word, standard kanji)