熟成|じゅくせいjukusei[0]heiban (flat)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
- noun, suru verb, intransitive verbmaturing; ripening; aging; ageing; curing; fermenting
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 熟成する(じゅくせいする) |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 熟成します(じゅくせいします) |
| Negative (nai) | 熟成しない(じゅくせいしない) |
| polite (masen) | 熟成しません(じゅくせいしません) |
| classical zu / nu | 熟成せず・熟成せぬ(じゅくせいせず・じゅくせいせぬ) |
| Past (ta) | 熟成した(じゅくせいした) |
| polite (mashita) | 熟成しました(じゅくせいしました) |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 熟成しなかった(じゅくせいしなかった) |
| polite (masen deshita) | 熟成しませんでした(じゅくせいしませんでした) |
| Te form | 熟成して(じゅくせいして) |
| Potential | 熟成できる(じゅくせいできる) |
| Passive | 熟成される(じゅくせいされる) |
| Causative | 熟成させる(じゅくせいさせる) |
| Causative passive | 熟成させられる(じゅくせいさせられる) |
| Conditional (ba) | 熟成すれば(じゅくせいすれば) |
| tara | 熟成したら(じゅくせいしたら) |
| Volitional | 熟成しよう(じゅくせいしよう) |
| polite (mashou) | 熟成しましょう(じゅくせいしましょう) |
| Imperative | 熟成しろ(じゅくせいしろ) |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
- Synonym完熟かんじゅくNeutralFull ripeness of fruit or seeds, as in 「完熟トマト」; it has no sense of aging in storage, whereas 熟成 highlights food getting tastier with time.
- Synonym成熟せいじゅくNeutralThe most versatile word for maturity, centered on organisms or timing reaching full development; 熟成 leans toward food getting tastier over time.
- Synonym熟するじゅくするWrittenVerb for ripening, or for the time becoming ripe, as in 「機が熟する」; a written/formal-prose word, unlike the neutral noun 熟成.
- Synonym熟れるうれるNeutralColloquial verb for fruit or grain ripening until it is ready to eat; 熟成 instead stresses flavor improving while food is stored.
- Synonym熟むうむWrittenVerb meaning to ripen fully; dated and rarely used now — in modern Japanese one says 「熟れる」 instead.
- Related実るみのるNeutralVerb meaning to bear fruit or produce results; its focus is on effort being rewarded.
- Related円熟えんじゅくWrittenDescribes skill or character ripening to perfection, as in 「円熟した演技」; about human mastery, not food aging.
- Related老成ろうせいWrittenWritten word for a person being mature and seasoned, especially seeming older than their age; nothing to do with food aging.
- Related老熟ろうじゅくWrittenRare written word for seasoned maturity, with the focus on polished, practiced skill.
- Antonym未熟みじゅくNeutralAntonym meaning unripe or immature — fruit not yet ripe, or skills and judgment still undeveloped; the reverse of the maturity 熟成 conveys.
- Antonym新鮮しんせんNeutralAntonym meaning fresh — new and still lively, not yet aged; it stands opposite 熟成, where time is what brings out the flavor.
Use 「熟成」 for meat, wine, cheese and the like growing more delicious as they age, as in 「熟成肉」 and 「熟成ワイン」. For fruit, say 「熟れる」 or 「完熟」; for maturity in general, 「成熟」; for consummate skill or character, 「円熟」. Antonyms are 「未熟」 and 「新鮮」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only


