Meaning and Usage
The verb 濡れる (ぬれる) means "to get wet" or "to become damp." It is commonly used when something or someone comes into contact with water or moisture unintentionally.
Common Contexts
You will often hear 濡れる in everyday situations like getting caught in the rain, touching something wet, or describing natural moisture like dew. It is an intransitive verb, so it does not take a direct object.
Collocations and Patterns
- 雨に濡れる: to get wet in the rain — used when caught outside during rain.
- 服が濡れる: clothes get wet — describing clothing soaked with water.
- 手が濡れている: hands are wet — often a reason to avoid touching electronics.
- 朝露で濡れる: to be wet with morning dew — natural moisture on plants.
Register and Nuance
濡れる is neutral and can be used in casual and polite speech. It simply states the fact of being wet without implying blame or emotion.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 濡れる with ぬらす (濡らす), which is the transitive form meaning "to wet something." Remember 濡れる is intransitive (something gets wet), while 濡らす means to cause something to get wet.