Meaning

Primary

To Be Diluted

Alternatives

To Be Diminished, To Become Weak

Word Type

intransitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

Because the hiragana ends with an sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji means dilute, and this is an intransitive verb, as you can guess from the まる ending. So this verb means to be diluted, to be diminished, or to become weak.

Reading

うすまる
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This word uses a kun'yomi reading you didn't learn with the kanij, so here's a mnemonic to help you out:

You find your coffee to be diluted, so you say, "Ooh, Sue (うす)…" and take a deep, exasperated breath. Sue made you this cup of coffee, but as usual, she's made it way too thin and watery. "Ooh, Sue… I hate to break it to you, but this is not drinkable."

Context

Context Sentences

効果が薄まるので、お酒と一緒には飲まないで下さい。

Please don't take this with alcohol as its effectiveness will be diminished.

水で薄まったピンクの絵の具がパレットに残っていた。

The pink paint, diluted with water, was left on the palette.

たった一つの発言でせっかくの手紙のありがたみが薄まった。

With just one remark, the letter I'd been so grateful to receive no longer felt quite as special.

Kanji Composition