滲む

• Reading: にじむ
• Romaji: nijimu
• Kanji breakdown: 滲 (niji/shin) — to ooze, seep, blot
• Pronunciation: /ni.dʑi.mɯ/

Meaning

To run or spread (of liquid); to bleed; to blot; to seep. Also used figuratively for emotions showing through.

A Group 1 (godan) intransitive verb. Describes liquid spreading beyond its boundary — ink blotting, colours bleeding, tears welling up. Figuratively used for emotions subtly showing: 悲しみが滲む (sadness seeps through).

Examples

1. 雨でインクが滲んで手紙が読めなくなった。 The rain made the ink run, and the letter became unreadable.
2. 彼の言葉には深い悲しみが滲んでいた。 Deep sadness seeped through his words.
3. 汗がシャツに滲んできた。 Sweat started bleeding through my shirt.

Usage Guide

Context: writing, emotions, physical description

Tone: evocative

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 滲 combines 氵(water) with 参 (to participate/mix in), depicting liquid gradually permeating a surface.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal