Translation guide
The English word 'damp' describes something slightly wet, often in an unpleasant or undesirable way. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 湿った (shimetta), but other words and phrases are used depending on the context, such as for weather, air, or objects.
Describing something that is slightly wet, often with a negative connotation (e.g., clothes, ground, towel).
The most common and versatile adjective for 'damp'. It implies an undesirable wetness.
このタオルはまだ湿っている。
This towel is still damp.
Wearing damp clothes feels unpleasant.
Often used for a damp and humid atmosphere, or for things that feel unpleasantly moist. More emphatic than 湿った.
この部屋はじめじめしている。
This room is damp and musty.
A more formal or descriptive phrase meaning 'having moisture/dampness'. Often used in written contexts.
湿り気のある土が植物に良い。
Damp soil is good for plants.
Describing weather, climate, or air that is damp, humid, and often unpleasant.
Literally 'humidity is high'. The standard way to say the air/weather is damp or humid.
今日は湿気が多い。
It's damp today.
日本の夏は湿気が多くて蒸し暑い。
Japanese summers are damp and muggy.
Onomatopoeic word for damp, humid, and often gloomy weather. Very common in casual speech.
梅雨で毎日ジメジメしている。
It's damp every day because of the rainy season.
A formal, technical term for 'humid' or 'damp', often used in weather forecasts or scientific contexts.
湿潤な空気が流れ込んでいる。
Damp air is flowing in.
Describing a surface, ground, or floor that is damp, often from moisture or rain.
Works for any damp surface.
雨で地面が湿っている。
The ground is damp from the rain.
Means 'wet', but can be used for 'damp' when the surface is visibly wet. Use with caution as it implies more moisture than 'damp'.
濡れた usually means 'wet', not just 'damp'. Use 湿った for slight wetness.
床が濡れているから気をつけて。
The floor is damp, so be careful.
湿った (shimetta) means 'damp' or 'moist', implying slight wetness. 濡れた (nureta) means 'wet', implying more water. If something is just a little wet, use 湿った. If it's soaked, use 濡れた.
タオルが湿っている。
The towel is damp.
タオルが濡れている。
The towel is wet.