Translation guide
To make something slightly wet or damp. In Japanese, the most common way to express this is with the verb 湿らせる (shimeraseru), but other expressions exist depending on what is being moistened and the method used.
To add a small amount of liquid to something so that it becomes damp, not soaking wet.
The most direct and common verb for 'moisten'. It is transitive and can be used for a wide range of objects.
Please moisten the cloth before wiping.
I drank water to moisten my throat.
Means 'to wet' or 'to moisten', but often implies making something wetter than 湿らせる. Can be used when the degree of wetness is not strictly 'slightly wet'.
Please moisten the towel with water.
Often used for moistening skin, lips, or throat, with a nuance of restoring moisture or providing hydration. More literary or formal.
This cream moistens the skin.
To add liquid to food during preparation to keep it from drying out.
To lick one's lips or take a sip to make them wet.
To add moisture to the air to increase humidity.
The standard verb for humidifying or adding moisture to the air. Often used with humidifiers.
Moisten the air in the room with a humidifier.
Literally 'give moisture'. Can be used for air or other things, but less common than 加湿する for air.
Moisten the plants (provide humidity).