染み付く

• Reading: しみつく
• Romaji: shimitsuku
• Kanji breakdown: 染 (sen/shimiru) — to dye, to permeate, to soak; 付 (fu/tsuku) — to attach, to stick
• Pronunciation: /ɕi.mi.t͡sɯ.kɯ/

Meaning

To become ingrained; to be deeply stained or embedded; to be deeply rooted in character or habit.

A Group 1 (godan) compound verb from 染み (from 染みる — to soak in, to permeate) and 付く (to attach, to stick). It describes something that has penetrated so deeply — a stain, a smell, a habit, or a way of thinking — that it cannot easily be removed. Often used metaphorically to describe deeply entrenched habits, cultural attitudes, or ingrained patterns of thought.

Examples

1. 長年の喫煙で衣服にニコチンの匂いが染み付いていた。 Years of smoking had left the smell of nicotine deeply embedded in his clothing.
2. 幼い頃に培った礼儀作法は体に染み付いている。 The manners cultivated in early childhood are ingrained in the body.
3. 差別的な考えが社会に深く染み付いている現実を直視すべきだ。 We should confront the reality that discriminatory thinking is deeply ingrained in society.

Usage Guide

Context: habits, social critique, smell, culture, character

Tone: descriptive

Origin & History

Compound of 染み (the stem of 染みる — to permeate, to soak in) and 付く (to attach, to stick). The combination evokes the image of a dye or smell that has penetrated deeply into fabric or skin, making removal extremely difficult.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: General