Meaning and Usage
"実る" (みのる) primarily means "to bear fruit" or "to ripen," referring literally to plants producing fruit. However, it is also used metaphorically to describe efforts, work, or studies yielding positive results or success.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "実る" in agricultural contexts, such as fruit trees or crops ripening. In everyday conversation, it is frequently used to express that hard work or perseverance has "borne fruit" or "paid off."
Collocations and Patterns
- 実る果実 (みのるかじつ): fruit that has ripened
- 努力が実る (どりょくがみのる): efforts bear fruit; hard work pays off
- 実を結ぶ (みをむすぶ): to bear fruit (literal and figurative), often used for success or results
Nuance and Register
"実る" is a neutral verb suitable for both formal and informal contexts. When used metaphorically, it conveys a positive outcome after effort or time. Learners should note that "実る" is intransitive; the fruit or result "ripens" or "bears fruit" by itself, so do not use it transitively.
Common Mistake
A common error is to confuse "実る" with the transitive verb "実らせる," which means "to make something bear fruit." Remember that "実る" describes the fruit or result naturally occurring or maturing, not an action done directly by a person.