濡らす・濡す|ぬらすnurasu[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
濡らす濡らす is the more common written form and the usual choice for learners; use it when writing the word.
濡す濡す is a less common written variant with irregular okurigana; recognize it when encountered, but do not choose it as your default form.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto wet; to moisten; to dampen; to soak; to dip
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 濡らす（ぬらす） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 濡らします（ぬらします） |
| Negative (nai) | 濡らさない（ぬらさない） |
| polite (masen) | 濡らしません（ぬらしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 濡らさず・濡らさぬ（ぬらさず・ぬらさぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 濡らした（ぬらした） |
| polite (mashita) | 濡らしました（ぬらしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 濡らさなかった（ぬらさなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 濡らしませんでした（ぬらしませんでした） |
| Te form | 濡らして（ぬらして） |
| Potential | 濡らせる（ぬらせる） |
| Passive | 濡らされる（ぬらされる） |
| Causative | 濡らさせる（ぬらさせる） |
| Causative passive | 濡らさせられる（ぬらさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 濡らせば（ぬらせば） |
| tara | 濡らしたら（ぬらしたら） |
| Volitional | 濡らそう（ぬらそう） |
| polite (mashou) | 濡らしましょう（ぬらしましょう） |
| Imperative | 濡らせ（ぬらせ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
服が濡れる
雨が服を濡らす
濡れる focuses on the subject getting wet, whereas 濡らす emphasizes the agent or cause that makes it wet.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym潤すうるおすNeutralMoistens something dry to relieve it, and figuratively means to enrich or benefit someone, as in 「喉を潤す」. 「濡らす」 simply means to wet.
- Synonym湿らすしめらすNeutralDampens something lightly, leaving it slightly moist, as in 「タオルを湿らす」. 「濡らす」 is the general word for getting something wet.
- Related湿すしめすWrittenA written/formal word for moistening something slightly, as in 「唇を湿す」. In everyday speech 「湿らす」 is used instead.
- Antonym乾かすかわかすNeutralThe opposite of 「濡らす」 on the wet–dry axis: it means to dry something out, or to air-dry it.
Use 「濡らす」 for wetting or soaking something. For lightly dampening something, 「湿らす」 fits (「湿す」 in formal prose). 「潤す」 is for moistening to relieve dryness or figuratively benefiting someone. The antonym is 「乾かす」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
