Usage and Nuance
The suffix ～まみれ attaches to nouns to express that something is completely covered or stained with whatever the noun describes. It often carries a negative or unpleasant nuance, such as being dirty, sweaty, or full of lies. It is commonly used in casual and literary contexts to emphasize the extent of coverage.
Common Collocations
- 泥まみれ (どろまみれ): covered in mud, often used when describing children playing outside or dirty clothes.
- 汗まみれ (あせまみれ): covered in sweat, used to describe someone who has been working hard or is very hot.
- 血まみれ (ちまみれ): covered in blood, often used in dramatic or violent contexts.
- 嘘まみれ (うそまみれ): full of lies, used metaphorically to describe stories or statements.
Register and Usage Tips
～まみれ is informal to neutral in register and can appear in both spoken and written Japanese. It is not typically used in very formal writing. When using it, be aware that it often implies a negative or undesirable state.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse ～まみれ with ～だらけ, which also means "covered with" but can have a slightly different nuance. ～まみれ usually emphasizes being stained or soiled, often negatively, while ～だらけ can be more neutral or just indicate abundance.