Japanese grammar
What does ～まみれ mean? Japanese grammar N1
～まみれ means covered with; smeared with (dirt/unwanted things).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N1 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N + まみれ |
| Romaji | mamire |
| Meaning | covered with; smeared with (dirt/unwanted things) |
Forming it
| Connection | N + まみれ |
|---|
How to use it
A person/object is COVERED in a powdery or liquid dirty substance. Always negative, not used for pleasant things.
- 「N＋まみれ」 = smeared/covered in N. The accompanying noun is a substance that clings to a surface: 泥 (mud), 汗 (sweat), 血 (blood), ほこり (dust), 油 (oil), or figuratively 借金まみれ (buried in debt).
- Distinguish three often-confused suffixes: 「まみれ」 (covered in dirt/grime) — 「だらけ」 (full of countless things, even abstract ones: 間違いだらけ, full of mistakes) — 「ずくめ」 (entirely one kind, and CAN be positive: いいことずくめ, nothing but good things).
- Attaches directly to a noun and behaves like a na-adjective: 「泥まみれの服」 (mud-covered clothes), 「汗まみれになる」 (become drenched in sweat).
Examples
子どもは泥まみれで帰ってきた。
The child came home covered in mud.
古い本はほこりまみれだった。
The old book was covered in dust.
Keep in mind
- Do not insert 「の」: 「泥まみれ」, not 「泥のまみれ」.
- Only used with something dirty/unpleasant — 「幸せまみれ」 is incorrect.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong泥のまみれになった。
Correct泥まみれになった。
The noun attaches directly to まみれ (no の).
Exam tips
- 「まみれ」 = covered in dirt/grime; 「だらけ」 = countless/full of; 「ずくめ」 = entirely one kind (can be positive).