Meaning and Usage
The verb "垂れる" (たれる) primarily means "to hang down" or "to droop." It is often used to describe something physically hanging or drooping, such as leaves, branches, or liquids like sweat or water dripping down.
Common Contexts
- Physical objects hanging or drooping: "木の枝から葉が垂れている" (Leaves are hanging from the tree branch).
- Liquids dripping or flowing down slowly: "汗が額から垂れてきた" (Sweat dripped from the forehead).
- Figurative use describing posture or expression, such as eyes drooping to show sadness, shame, or lack of confidence: "目を垂れて話した" (Spoke with eyes downcast).
Collocations and Patterns
- "汗が垂れる": sweat dripping down, often used in physical exertion or nervousness.
- "目を垂れる": to lower or droop one's eyes, expressing emotion like embarrassment or sadness.
- "枝が垂れる": branches hanging down, describing natural scenes.
Register and Nuance
"垂れる" is a neutral verb used in both formal and informal contexts. It can describe both literal and figurative drooping or hanging. Learners should note that it often implies a slow or natural downward movement.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "垂れる" with "下がる" (さがる), which also means "to go down" but is more general and can refer to levels, prices, or abstract concepts. "垂れる" specifically emphasizes hanging or drooping physically or figuratively.