Translation guide
How to express the idea of liquid, gas, or an abstract quality gradually entering or spreading through something in Japanese.
Describing water, oil, smoke, etc. slowly entering or passing through a porous substance.
Most common for liquids soaking into fabric, paper, soil, etc. Emphasizes absorption.
雨が地面に染み込んだ。
The rain seeped into the ground.
コーヒーがカーペットに染み込んでしまった。
Coffee seeped into the carpet.
More formal/technical. Used for liquids, gases, or abstract things like ideas permeating.
水が土壌に浸透する。
Water seeps into the soil.
Often used for liquid seeping into a wound or eyes, causing a stinging sensation. Also for emotional impact.
傷に消毒液が滲みた。
The antiseptic seeped into the wound (and stung).
Describing an atmosphere, emotion, influence, or idea slowly pervading a place or group.
Works for both physical and abstract permeation. Common in news or essays.
新しい考え方が社会に浸透してきた。
New ways of thinking have seeped into society.
Can be used metaphorically for something deeply ingrained, like a habit or feeling.
その教えが心に染み込んだ。
The teaching seeped into my heart.
Literally 'ooze out', but can describe an atmosphere or feeling that seems to seep into a space from within.
Describing sensory stimuli that slowly penetrate a space.
For light, sound, or smell leaking or seeping through gaps.
ドアの隙間から光が漏れていた。
Light seeped through the crack in the door.
隣の部屋から音楽が漏れてくる。
Music seeps in from the next room.
Especially for smells that soak into fabric or a room.
染み込む is everyday and often implies absorption into a material (like a sponge). 浸透する is more formal and can be used for both physical and abstract permeation, often implying spreading throughout a whole area or system.
漏れる means 'leak out/escape', not 'seep into'. For liquid entering something, use 染み込む or 浸透する.
部屋に不安が滲み出ていた。
Anxiety seeped into the room.
タバコの臭いがカーテンに染み込んでいる。
The smell of cigarettes has seeped into the curtains.