Translation guide
Describes being completely soaked, usually by rain, sweat, or other liquids. Japanese uses different verbs and onomatopoeic adverbs depending on the cause and intensity.
To be thoroughly wet from rain, a downpour, or being splashed with water.
The most common and natural way to say 'be drenched' from rain or water. Emphasizes being soaked to the skin.
I got drenched in the sudden rain.
The kids are drenched from playing in the water.
Also means 'be drenched', often with a nuance of being uncomfortably wet and dripping. Slightly more casual than ずぶ濡れ.
I forgot my umbrella and got drenched.
Literally 'become a wet rat', an idiomatic expression for being drenched, often used in literary or dramatic contexts.
He walked through the storm and got drenched like a drowned rat.
To be completely soaked with sweat, often from heat or exertion.
The standard expression for being drenched in sweat. びっしょり is an onomatopoeic adverb meaning 'soaking wet'.
I was drenched in sweat after jogging.
Means 'drenched in sweat', often implying a lot of sweat, commonly used in casual speech.
I got drenched in sweat on the crowded train.
Literally 'become sweat-soaked', a more vivid and slightly literary expression.
He was working, drenched in sweat.
To be soaked by something other than rain or sweat, or used figuratively.
A suffix meaning 'covered/drenched in' something messy or unpleasant, like mud, blood, or dust. Attach to a noun.
The kids played and got drenched in mud.
He was drenched in blood from the accident.
Similar to まみれ but often for things that cover a surface or are scattered, like dust, sand, or mistakes. Can be used for 'drenched' in a loose sense.
The books got drenched in dust.
Can be used metaphorically for being emotionally overwhelmed or 'drenched' in a feeling, though this is less common.
Both mean 'drenched', but ずぶ濡れ emphasizes being soaked through to the skin, while びしょ濡れ often focuses on the dripping wetness and is slightly more casual. They are often interchangeable.
I caught a cold from being drenched.
I changed out of my drenched clothes.
English 'drenched' can be used broadly, but Japanese often requires a specific expression depending on the liquid or context. Using 濡れる (ぬれる) alone just means 'get wet', not necessarily 'drenched'.
I got wet in the rain. (not necessarily drenched)
彼は悲しみにずぶ濡れだった。
He was drenched in sorrow.