Translation guide
To make something slightly wet or damp. In Japanese, the most common way to express this is with the verb 湿らせる (shimeraseru), but other expressions exist depending on what is being moistened and the method used.
To add a small amount of liquid to something so that it becomes damp, not soaking wet.
The most direct and common verb for 'moisten'. It is transitive and can be used for a wide range of objects.
布を湿らせてから拭いてください。
Please moisten the cloth before wiping.
I drank water to moisten my throat.
Means 'to wet' or 'to moisten', but often implies making something wetter than 湿らせる. Can be used when the degree of wetness is not strictly 'slightly wet'.
タオルを水で濡らしてください。
Please moisten the towel with water.
Often used for moistening skin, lips, or throat, with a nuance of restoring moisture or providing hydration. More literary or formal.
このクリームが肌を潤します。
This cream moistens the skin.
To add liquid to food during preparation to keep it from drying out.
Literally 'add moisture'. A natural way to describe moistening food in cooking contexts.
肉が乾燥しないように水分を加えてください。
Please moisten the meat so it doesn't dry out.
Can also be used for food, but 水分を加える is more common in recipes.
パン粉を牛乳で湿らせる。
Moisten the breadcrumbs with milk.
To lick one's lips or take a sip to make them wet.
The standard phrase for moistening one's lips.
彼は緊張して唇を湿らせた。
He moistened his lips nervously.
More poetic or formal way to say moisten one's mouth, often by drinking.
冷たいお茶で口を潤した。
I moistened my mouth with cold tea.
To add moisture to the air to increase humidity.
The standard verb for humidifying or adding moisture to the air. Often used with humidifiers.
加湿器で部屋の空気を加湿する。
Moisten the air in the room with a humidifier.
Literally 'give moisture'. Can be used for air or other things, but less common than 加湿する for air.
植物に湿気を与える。
Moisten the plants (provide humidity).