Translation guide
Describes the process of plants drying up, losing vitality, or figurative decline. Japanese uses different words for physical withering of plants, wilting from lack of water, and metaphorical fading of strength or beauty.
To describe a plant or flower that is drying out, losing moisture, and becoming shriveled, often due to age or heat.
The most common verb for plants withering and dying, often from natural causes or end of life cycle. Intransitive.
花が枯れてしまった。
The flowers have withered.
暑さで芝生が枯れた。
The lawn withered in the heat.
Specifically means to wilt or droop, often from lack of water. Intransitive.
水をやらないと花が萎れてしまう。
If you don't water them, the flowers will wilt.
Transitive verb meaning to let a plant wither or to kill a plant by neglect.
観葉植物を枯らしてしまった。
I let my houseplant wither.
Describes something shriveling or becoming wrinkled from loss of moisture, often used for vegetables or skin. Intransitive.
キュウリが萎びてしまった。
The cucumber has shriveled up.
To describe a person's spirit, beauty, or strength fading away, or a metaphorical decline.
Often used for losing motivation, energy, or enthusiasm; can also describe a drooping plant. Intransitive.
失敗して気持ちが萎えた。
My spirit withered after the failure.
Means to decline, weaken, or wane, used for physical strength, beauty, or power. Intransitive.
Means to deflate or wither, used for flowers closing up or for hopes/dreams fading. Intransitive.
希望がしぼんでしまった。
My hopes withered away.
To describe a look or comment that makes someone feel small or humiliated.
Literally 'cold gaze', used for a withering look that shows disdain.
彼は私に冷たい視線を向けた。
He gave me a withering look.
Means 'biting words', used for a withering remark.
彼女の辛辣な言葉に傷ついた。
I was hurt by her withering remark.
枯れる (kareru) is for plants dying and drying up completely, often turning brown. 萎れる (shioreru) is for wilting or drooping due to lack of water, but the plant may recover. Use 枯れる for permanent withering, 萎れる for temporary wilting.
For figurative 'withering' of hopes or spirits, do not use 枯れる (kareru), which is only for plants. Use しぼむ (shibomu) or 衰える (otoroeru) instead.
年をとると体力が衰える。
As you age, your physical strength withers.
彼女の美貌は衰えていない。
Her beauty has not withered.