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.
汚れたシャツを水に浸した。
I soaked the dirty shirt in water.
豆を一晩水に浸してください。
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.
きゅうりを塩水に漬ける。
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.
洗濯物が水に浸かっている。
The laundry is soaking in water.
Phrase meaning 'to leave something soaking in water'. Emphasizes the duration.
鍋を水に浸けておくと洗いやすくなる。
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.
このタオルは水をよく吸収する。
This towel soaks up water well.
Literally 'suck in', used for absorbing liquid or moisture. Slightly more vivid.
スポンジがこぼした牛乳を吸い込んだ。
The sponge soaked up the spilled milk.
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.
突然の雨でずぶ濡れになった。
I got soaked by the sudden rain.
Similar to ずぶ濡れ, meaning soaking wet. Slightly more colloquial.
汗でシャツがびしょ濡れだ。
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).
温泉に浸かって、旅の雰囲気に浸った。
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.
Colloquial verb meaning to rip off or overcharge. Often used for taxis, tourist traps, etc.
その店は観光客をぼったくることで有名だ。
That shop is famous for soaking tourists.
Verb meaning to charge an unreasonable price. Slightly less slangy than ぼったくる.
To learn or absorb information quickly and eagerly.
Same verb as for absorbing liquid, also used metaphorically for knowledge.
子供は新しい言葉をどんどん吸収する。
Children soak up new words quickly.
Phrase meaning to acquire or master (knowledge/skills). Implies internalizing.
留学中に英語を身につけた。
I soaked up English during my study abroad.
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.
雨に降られてずぶ濡れになった。
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).
野菜を水に浸す (just soaking) vs 野菜を酢に漬ける (pickling in vinegar)
Soak vegetables in water vs pickle vegetables in vinegar
しばらくお風呂に浸かるつもりです。
I'm going to soak in the bath for a while.
洗う前にシミを冷水に浸けておいてください。
Soak the stain in cold water before washing.
スポンジが水を全部吸い取った。
The sponge soaked up all the water.
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.
彼は私に法外な値段をふっかけた。
He soaked me with an outrageous price.