Translation guide
Describes a substance slowly and steadily emerging from somewhere, often a thick liquid or semi-liquid. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is oozing and from where.
Express that a thick liquid, paste, or semi-solid substance is slowly coming out through a small opening, crack, or surface.
General term for liquid oozing out, often through a surface or small opening. Implies a slow, gradual seepage.
傷口から血がにじみ出ている。
Blood is oozing out from the wound.
壁から水がにじみ出ている。
Water is oozing out from the wall.
Similar to にじみ出る, but often emphasizes soaking through or permeating a material. Common for liquids seeping through fabric or paper.
包帯に血がしみ出てきた。
Blood started oozing out into the bandage.
Focuses on the liquid emerging and spreading, often staining. Can be used for ink, dye, or colored liquids.
インクが紙に染み出している。
Ink is oozing out onto the paper.
Describe something like mud, lava, or a soft solid slowly extruding or flowing out from a confined space.
Used when a substance flows out in a continuous stream, even if slow. Suitable for lava, mud, or thick liquids.
火山から溶岩が流れ出ている。
Lava is oozing out from the volcano.
Literally 'being pushed out', used when something is forced out under pressure, like toothpaste from a tube or soft material from a crack.
チューブから歯磨き粉が押し出される。
Toothpaste oozes out from the tube.
Technical/medical term for exudation or oozing of bodily fluids. Used in formal or clinical contexts.
傷口から滲出液が滲出している。
Exudate is oozing out from the wound.
Express that a feeling, mood, or characteristic is gradually becoming apparent, often in a way that seems to seep out.
Also used figuratively for emotions or qualities that show through despite attempts to hide them, or that naturally emanate from someone.
彼の言葉から優しさがにじみ出ていた。
Kindness oozed out from his words.
彼女の表情に自信がにじみ出ている。
Confidence oozes out in her expression.
Means 'to drift' or 'to hang in the air', used for atmosphere, scent, or mood that seems to ooze out and fill a space.
All three describe liquid seeping out, but にじみ出る is the most general and common. しみ出る often implies soaking through something absorbent, while 染み出す emphasizes staining or spreading of color. For figurative use, にじみ出る is standard.
汗がシャツにしみ出た。
Sweat oozed out into the shirt.
ペンキが布に染み出した。
Paint oozed out into the cloth.
Avoid directly translating 'oozing out' as a single word. Japanese uses compound verbs with 出る (to come out) combined with a manner prefix. Using just 出る may lose the nuance of slow seepage.
部屋に悲しみが漂っている。
Sadness oozes through the room.