Translation guide
The English word "wilt" refers to plants drooping or losing freshness, and metaphorically to people losing energy or enthusiasm. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these meanings, from common verbs to figurative phrases.
Describe when a plant, flower, or leaf becomes limp and weak, often due to lack of water or heat.
The most common and general verb for plants wilting. Used for flowers, leaves, and vegetables losing firmness.
Describe when someone becomes tired, discouraged, or loses their spirit, similar to a wilting plant.
しおれる means 'wilt' (temporary loss of firmness), while 枯れる means 'wither and die' (permanent). Use しおれる for plants that can recover with water, and 枯れる for dead plants.
水をあげたら、しおれた花が元気になった。
After watering, the wilted flowers perked up.
枯れた花はもう戻らない。
Withered flowers won't come back.
花がしおれてしまった。
The flowers have wilted.
水をやらないと、観葉植物がしおれる。
If you don't water it, the houseplant will wilt.
Kanji form of しおれる, more common in written or literary contexts. Same meaning.
暑さで野菜が萎れてしまった。
The vegetables wilted in the heat.
Describes plants (or people) becoming limp and lifeless. Often used when the wilting is severe or sudden.
日差しが強くて、鉢植えがぐったりしている。
The potted plant is wilting in the strong sunlight.
Means 'to wither and die' rather than just wilt. Use when the plant is beyond recovery.
しおれる is temporary wilting; 枯れる implies the plant has died.
水不足で花が枯れてしまった。
The flowers withered and died from lack of water.
Metaphorically extends the plant meaning to people. Often used when someone looks dejected or loses confidence.
彼は上司に叱られて、しおれてしまった。
He wilted after being scolded by his boss.
彼女は失恋してしおれている。
She's wilting after her heartbreak.
Literally 'lose energy', a straightforward and common way to say someone's spirits have dropped.
暑さで元気がなくなった。
I wilted in the heat.
Describes looking downcast or dejected, often with a drooping posture. Very natural for a person wilting emotionally.
不合格の知らせに、彼はしょんぼりしていた。
He wilted at the news of his failure.
Used for physical exhaustion, like wilting from fatigue. Can also apply to emotional exhaustion.
一日中歩いて、ぐったりだ。
I'm wilted after walking all day.