Translation guide
The English verb "soak" has several distinct meanings. This guide organizes them by practical use: immersing in liquid, absorbing liquid, becoming thoroughly wet, and figurative uses like soaking in atmosphere or overcharging. Japanese uses different verbs and expressions for each.
To put something into a liquid and leave it there for a period of time, often to clean, soften, or treat it.
Transitive verb meaning to immerse or soak something in liquid. Commonly used for soaking laundry, dishes, or food.
I soaked the dirty shirt in water.
Please soak the beans in water overnight.
Transitive verb meaning to soak or pickle something in a liquid, often for flavoring or preserving. Used for pickling vegetables or marinating.
I soak cucumbers in salt water (to make pickles).
Intransitive verb meaning to be soaked or immersed. Describes the state of something sitting in liquid.
The laundry is soaking in water.
Phrase meaning 'to leave something soaking in water'. Emphasizes the duration.
If you leave the pot soaking in water, it becomes easier to wash.
To take in or absorb a liquid, like a sponge or cloth.
General verb for absorbing liquid. Used for materials, towels, sponges, etc.
This towel soaks up water well.
Literally 'suck in', used for absorbing liquid or moisture. Slightly more vivid.
Intransitive verb meaning to soak in or permeate. Describes liquid seeping into something.
To become completely wet, often unintentionally, as in getting caught in rain.
Phrase meaning 'to get soaked to the skin' or 'drenched'. Very common for rain.
I got soaked by the sudden rain.
Similar to ずぶ濡れ, meaning soaking wet. Slightly more colloquial.
My shirt is soaking wet with sweat.
Literary or poetic verb meaning to be drenched or soaked through. Not used in everyday speech.
To spend time absorbing or enjoying an atmosphere, view, or experience.
Intransitive verb meaning to be immersed in an atmosphere or feeling. Often used with 雰囲気 (atmosphere) or 思い出 (memories).
I soaked in the hot spring and soaked up the travel atmosphere.
Verb meaning to savor or appreciate fully. Can be used for soaking in an experience.
To charge someone an exorbitant amount of money; to overprice.
To learn or absorb information quickly and eagerly.
浸す (hitasu) is for deliberately putting something in liquid. For getting soaked by rain, use ずぶ濡れになる or びしょ濡れになる.
I got soaked in the rain.
浸す is general immersion in liquid (water, etc.). 漬ける implies soaking in a seasoned liquid or for preservation (pickling, marinating).
Soak vegetables in water vs pickle vegetables in vinegar
I'm going to soak in the bath for a while.
Soak the stain in cold water before washing.
The sponge soaked up all the water.
スポンジがこぼした牛乳を吸い込んだ。
The sponge soaked up the spilled milk.
雨水が地面に染み込んだ。
The rainwater soaked into the ground.
雨に濡れそぼった花びら。
Petals soaked by the rain.
静かな夜の空気を味わった。
I soaked in the quiet night air.
He soaked me with an outrageous price.
留学中に英語を身につけた。
I soaked up English during my study abroad.