Meaning and Usage
The verb 痩せる (やせる) primarily means "to lose weight" or "to become thin." It is commonly used to describe a reduction in body weight, either intentionally through dieting and exercise or unintentionally due to illness.
Common Contexts
You will often hear 痩せる in everyday conversations about health, fitness, and appearance. It can describe gradual weight loss from exercise or sudden weight loss caused by sickness.
Collocations and Patterns
- 痩せるために (to lose weight for...) — used when explaining reasons or goals for losing weight.
- 痩せている (to be thin) — describes someone who is currently thin.
- 痩せてしまう (to lose weight unintentionally or completely) — often implies an unwanted or sudden weight loss.
Register and Nuance
痩せる is neutral and commonly used in casual and polite speech. It is not formal but appropriate in most daily situations. When talking about weight loss due to illness, the nuance can be serious or concerning.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 痩せる with 減る (へる), which means "to decrease" but is not used for body weight. Use 痩せる specifically for losing body weight or becoming thin.