By ProDev Teach | Updated May 2025
📘 Meaning & Usage
The expression ～まみれ means “covered with” or “full of,” often referring to something messy, dirty, or unpleasant. It is used when the entire surface or space is overwhelmingly filled with something.
Structure:
Noun + まみれ
Note: Used mainly with negative or undesirable things such as dirt, blood, sweat, lies, etc.
💡 Example Sentences
- 彼の服は血まみれだった。
His clothes were covered in blood. - 子供たちは泥まみれになって遊んでいた。
The children were playing, completely covered in mud. - 汗まみれのシャツを着替えた。
I changed my shirt that was soaked in sweat. - 噂まみれの会社には入りたくない。
I don’t want to work at a company full of rumors. - 彼の話は嘘まみれだった。
His story was full of lies.
📝 Grammar Notes
～まみれ often implies something unpleasant or unwanted that has taken over or overwhelmed the surface or situation.
Commonly used nouns with ～まみれ:
- 泥 (mud)
- 汗 (sweat)
- 血 (blood)
- 嘘 (lies)
- ゴミ (garbage)
- ほこり (dust)
This grammar is not typically used with positive or neutral things.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blanks
Choose the correct noun and complete the sentence using ～まみれ.
- 工事現場で働いたあと、彼は＿＿＿＿まみれだった。（汗・花・本）
- 怪我をして、手が＿＿＿＿まみれになった。（血・水・音楽）
- 彼女の部屋は＿＿＿＿まみれで、掃除が必要だ。（ほこり・光・空気）
✔ Answers:
- 汗まみれ
- 血まみれ
- ほこりまみれ
2. Translate to Japanese using ～まみれ
- The kids came home covered in mud.
- The room was full of garbage.
- He was full of lies.
✔ Sample Answers:
- 子供たちは泥まみれで帰ってきた。
- 部屋はゴミまみれだった。
- 彼は嘘まみれだった。
📚 Related Grammar
- ～だらけ: Similar in meaning, often interchangeable, but ～だらけ can be more general and casual.
- ～ずくめ: Means “entirely full of,” used more in a positive sense (e.g., 喜びずくめ – full of joy).
🧠 Summary
- Meaning: Covered with, full of (usually something unpleasant)
- Form: Noun + まみれ
- Usage: Formal or descriptive writing
- JLPT Level: N1
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.
