Meaning and Usage
The verb 乾く (かわく) primarily means "to become dry" or "to get dry." It is used when something loses moisture naturally or through environmental factors like wind or heat. It can describe objects like clothes, paint, or even physical sensations such as thirst.
Common Contexts
- Clothes or objects drying after washing or painting.
- Describing the sensation of thirst (喉が乾く).
Collocations and Patterns
- 洗濯物が乾く: laundry dries
- 喉が乾く: to feel thirsty (literally "throat dries")
- ペンキが乾く: paint dries
Register and Usage Notes
乾く is a neutral verb used in everyday conversation. When talking about drying something intentionally, the transitive verb 乾かす (かわかす) is used instead.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 乾く (intransitive) with 乾かす (transitive). Remember, 乾く means "something dries by itself," while 乾かす means "to dry something."