萎える

• Reading: なえる
• Romaji: naeru
• Kanji breakdown: 萎 (i/na) — wilt, droop, wither
• Pronunciation: /na.e.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To wilt; to wither; to lose energy or vitality; to become limp or feeble. Used both for plants and for human motivation, spirit, or limbs.

A Group 2 (ichidan) verb. 萎える describes a gradual loss of strength or vitality, whether in a physical or psychological sense. A plant wilts under heat; a person's motivation wilts after repeated failures; a limb becomes weak through illness. The word often appears in expressions like 気力が萎える (one's spirit wilts) or 足が萎える (one's legs give out). It conveys a sense of deflation rather than sudden collapse.

Examples

1. 厳しい批判を受け続けて、挑戦する気力がすっかり萎えてしまった。 After enduring harsh criticism repeatedly, he completely lost the will to keep trying.
2. 長期入院で足の筋肉が萎えてしまい、リハビリに数ヶ月かかった。 After a long hospitalisation, the muscles in his legs had wasted away, and rehabilitation took several months.
3. 猛暑の中で水やりを怠ったせいで、せっかくの草花がみるみる萎えていった。 Because she neglected to water them in the intense heat, the flowers she had carefully tended wilted before her eyes.

Usage Guide

Context: psychology, health, daily life, nature

Tone: negative

Origin & History

The kanji 萎 combines 艹 (grass radical) and 委 (entrust/droop), evoking the image of grass drooping down. This pictographic origin directly captures the physical act of wilting, and the meaning extended to describe any loss of vigour or vitality.

Cultural Context

Era: Contemporary

Generation: All ages

Social background: General