1.
uncovered veranda; rain-exposed engawa
A narrow wooden veranda attached to the outside of a traditional Japanese house, projecting beyond the eaves and so exposed to rain. Contrasts with the covered, interior-side 縁側.
濡れ縁に腰を掛けた。
I sat down on the open veranda.
濡れ縁から庭を眺めた。
I gazed at the garden from the open veranda.
古い民家の濡れ縁で涼みながら茶を飲んだ。
I drank tea while cooling off on the open veranda of the old house.
Compound of 濡れる (to get wet) + 縁 (veranda; from 縁側). Named for the fact that, lying outside the eaves, it gets wet when it rains. Often a low wooden bench-like platform that doubles as an outdoor seat.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 濡れ縁に座る: to sit on the open veranda
- 濡れ縁を設ける: to install an exposed veranda
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 縁側: traditional veranda — sheltered by the eaves; the standard inner-side version
- ベランダ: balcony — modern, often upper-floor
- テラス: terrace; patio — Western-style outdoor platform