Translation guide
The English adjective 'muddy' describes something covered in or containing mud, or metaphorically unclear or confused. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for both literal and figurative uses.
Describing a surface, ground, or object that has mud on it or is made muddy.
Most common and natural way to say something is covered in mud. Emphasizes being dirty with mud.
靴が泥だらけになった。
My shoes got all muddy.
子供たちは泥だらけになって遊んでいた。
The kids were playing and got all muddy.
Similar to 泥だらけ, but can imply being smeared or covered more thoroughly. Slightly more emphatic.
服が泥まみれだ。
My clothes are muddy.
Describes ground or a road that is muddy and soft, often after rain. Focuses on the condition of the surface.
雨で道がぬかるんでいる。
The road is muddy from the rain.
Literally 'with mud attached'. More descriptive and less common as a standalone adjective.
泥のついた手を洗った。
I washed my muddy hands.
Describing water or other liquids that have become muddy due to suspended dirt.
Standard word for water or liquid that is cloudy, muddy, or turbid. Can also be used figuratively.
川の水が濁っている。
The river water is muddy.
濁った池で泳ぐのは気持ち悪い。
Swimming in a muddy pond is unpleasant.
Noun meaning 'muddy water'. Often used in compound phrases.
Describing thoughts, explanations, or situations that are not clear or are confused.
Means vague, ambiguous. Common for unclear statements or memories.
彼の説明は曖昧でよくわからなかった。
His explanation was muddy and hard to understand.
Means hazy, dim, or vague. Often used for unclear memories or outlines.
子供の頃の記憶はぼんやりしている。
My childhood memories are muddy.
Literally 'not clear'. A very common way to say something is unclear or muddy.
彼の態度ははっきりしない。
His attitude is muddy.
Formal or literary term for turbidity, used figuratively for confusion or corruption.
混濁した意識の中で声が聞こえた。
I heard a voice in my muddy consciousness.
Describing a color that resembles mud, often dull brown or grayish.
Literally 'mud-colored'. The most direct way to describe a muddy color.
彼は泥色のジャケットを着ていた。
He was wearing a muddy-colored jacket.
Means dull, somber, or faded. Often used for colors that are not bright.
くすんだ茶色の壁。
A muddy brown wall.
Do not use 泥だらけ or 濁った for unclear thoughts or explanations. Use 曖昧な or はっきりしない instead.
彼の考えは曖昧だ。
His thinking is muddy.
雨上がりの道はぬかるんでいた。
The path was muddy after the rain.
服を泥だらけにしないで！
Don't get your clothes muddy!
グラスの水が濁って見えた。
The water in the glass looked muddy.
洪水で町が泥水に浸かった。
The town was flooded with muddy water.