Meaning and Usage
The verb 濡らす (ぬらす) means "to wet" or "to soak" something. It is a transitive verb, so it always takes a direct object that becomes wet. This word is commonly used in everyday situations involving water or other liquids making something wet.
Common Contexts
You will often hear 濡らす when talking about clothes, towels, or paper getting wet. It can also describe intentional actions, like wetting a towel before use, or accidental situations, like clothes getting wet in the rain.
Collocations and Patterns
- 濡らす + 服 (ぬらす + ふく): to wet clothes, often by rain or sweat.
- タオルを濡らす: to wet a towel, usually before wiping or cleaning.
- 汗で濡らす: to soak with sweat, describing heavy perspiration.
Register and Politeness
濡らす is a neutral verb suitable for both casual and polite conversation. It is not formal or honorific.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 濡らす (to wet something) with 濡れる (ぬれる), which is intransitive and means "to get wet" by itself. Remember 濡らす requires a direct object that you wet, while 濡れる describes the subject becoming wet on its own.