潤う

• Reading: うるおう
• Romaji: uruou
• Kanji breakdown: 潤 (jun/uruo) — moist, wet, profit, enrich
• Pronunciation: /ɯ.ɾɯ.o.ɯ/

Meaning

To become moist; to be moistened. Also means to profit; to benefit; to be enriched.

A Group 1 (godan) intransitive verb with physical and figurative meanings. Physically describes skin, air, or land becoming moist or well-hydrated. Figuratively means to prosper financially or to be spiritually enriched. The transitive counterpart is 潤す (uruosu). Common in beauty, health, and economic contexts.

Examples

1. 雨が降って乾いた大地が潤った。 Rain fell and the parched earth was moistened.
2. この化粧水を使うと肌が潤う。 Using this toner keeps your skin moisturized.
3. 観光客のおかげで地域経済が潤っている。 Thanks to tourists, the local economy is thriving.

Usage Guide

Context: beauty, nature, economics

Tone: positive

Origin & History

The kanji 潤 combines 氵 (water) and 閏 (intercalary, extra), originally meaning an excess of water — abundance that brings richness and moisture.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal