萎える|なえるnaeru[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Definitions
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto lose strength; to become weak; to disappear (of energy, drive, etc.)
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto wither; to droop; to wilt
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto feel demotivated; to lose interest; to become disappointed
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 萎える（なえる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 萎えます（なえます） |
| Negative (nai) | 萎えない（なえない） |
| polite (masen) | 萎えません（なえません） |
| classical zu / nu | 萎えず・萎えぬ（なえず・なえぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 萎えた（なえた） |
| polite (mashita) | 萎えました（なえました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 萎えなかった（なえなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 萎えませんでした（なえませんでした） |
| Te form | 萎えて（なえて） |
| Potential | 萎えられる（なえられる） |
| Passive | 萎えられる（なえられる） |
| Causative | 萎えさせる（なえさせる） |
| Causative passive | 萎えさせられる（なえさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 萎えれば（なえれば） |
| tara | 萎えたら（なえたら） |
| Volitional | 萎えよう（なえよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 萎えましょう（なえましょう） |
| Imperative | 萎えろ（なえろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym衰えるおとろえるNeutralCovers a wider range: gradual decline of national strength, popularity, memory, etc. 「萎える」 is mostly weak limbs or fading drive, colloquially also disappointment.
- RelatedしぼむNeutralDescribes puffed-up things going limp or flowers wilting; figuratively hopes collapsing, as in 「夢が萎む」; stresses shrinking.
- RelatedしおれるNeutralPlants drooping from lack of water, or people slumping in dejection; close to 「萎える」 in both its plant and energy senses.
- RelatedしなびるNeutralShriveling of vegetables or skin from moisture loss, as in 「萎びた野菜」; not used for energy or drive.
- Antonym盛るさかるWrittenWritten/formal prose: describes growing vigor or flourishing, as in 「火が盛る」; the opposite of the weakening and deflation of 「萎える」.
Use 「萎える」 for weak limbs or fading drive; colloquially it also covers feeling deflated or let down. For long-term decline use 「衰える」, for wilting flowers or plants 「萎れる」 or 「萎む」, and for shriveling 「萎びる」.
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
