Translation guide
This guide covers how to express that things are mixed together in Japanese, from simple combinations to complex blends.
To say that different items, substances, or elements are put together and exist in a mixed state.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be mixed' or 'to get mixed'. Used when things combine naturally or without specifying an agent. Focuses on the resulting state.
Water and oil don't mix.
Various colors mixed together and became a beautiful pattern.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be mixed in' or 'to be included among'. Emphasizes that something is present as part of a mixture, often with a sense of being an ingredient or component.
This juice has a little alcohol mixed in.
His story is mixed with jokes.
Passive form of 混合する (to mix). Used in formal or technical contexts to indicate that substances are mixed together, often by a process or agent.
These chemicals are mixed carefully.
To describe that something (like a crowd, a feeling, or a substance) is composed of various parts or qualities.
Intransitive compound verb meaning 'to be mixed together' or 'to be jumbled'. Often used for abstract things like emotions or for physical mixtures where the components are intermingled.
Joy and sadness were mixed in his heart.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to mix together' or 'to blend'. Emphasizes mutual mixing of multiple elements into a harmonious whole.
Passive form of 混成する (to mix and form). Used for composite materials or teams made up of different elements. Technical nuance.
To express that someone confuses one thing with another, or that things are mentally mixed up.
Passive form of 混同する (to confuse). Means 'to be confused with' or 'to be mistaken for'. Used when two things are not clearly distinguished.
He is often mixed up with his younger brother.
These two terms are easily mixed up.
Colloquial phrase meaning 'to become jumbled' or 'to get mixed up'. Often used for thoughts, plans, or physical objects in disarray.
混ざる (mazaru) is used when two or more things combine to form a mixture, often with the sense of blending together. 混じる (majiru) is used when something is mixed into something else, emphasizing the presence of a foreign element within a whole. For example, 水と油は混ざらない (Water and oil don't mix) uses 混ざる because they fail to blend. ジュースに酒が混じっている (Alcohol is mixed in the juice) uses 混じる because the alcohol is an added component.
The paints mixed and became brown.
There are gray hairs mixed in my hair.
English 'be mixed' can often be translated directly with passive forms like 混ぜられる, but this sounds unnatural in many contexts. Japanese prefers intransitive verbs like 混ざる or 混じる to describe the state of being mixed. Use passive forms only when emphasizing an agent or process.
Various vegetables are mixed in this salad.
会場には老若男女が入り混じっていた。
People of all ages and both genders were mixed in the venue.
Various cultures mixed together and gave birth to a new tradition.
This team is mixed with experienced people and newcomers.
My thoughts are all mixed up and I don't know what's what.