浸す

• Reading: ひたす
• Romaji: hitasu
• Kanji breakdown: 浸 (hita/shin) — soak, dip, immerse
• Pronunciation: /çi.ta.sɯ/

Meaning

To soak; to dip; to steep; to immerse something in liquid.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb. The active counterpart of 浸る (to be soaked). Used in cooking (soaking ingredients), cleaning (soaking fabric), and daily contexts. Takes に for the liquid and を for the object being soaked.

Examples

1. 野菜を水に浸してから調理する。 Soak the vegetables in water before cooking.
2. 足を温泉に浸すと疲れが取れる。 Soaking your feet in a hot spring helps relieve fatigue.
3. タオルを冷水に浸した後、額に当てた。 After soaking the towel in cold water, I put it on my forehead.

Usage Guide

Context: cooking, cleaning, bathing, daily life

Tone: practical

Origin & History

The kanji 浸 combines 氵(water radical) and 侵 (invade), suggesting water gradually penetrating and surrounding an object.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal