Translation guide
Describes plants, flowers, or leaves that have dried up, lost vitality, or shriveled. Also used figuratively for people or things that have lost energy or freshness.
Describing vegetation that has dried up, wilted, or shriveled due to lack of water, age, or season.
The most common and general term for withered plants, trees, or flowers. Implies they have died or dried up.
庭の花が枯れてしまった。
The flowers in the garden have withered.
枯れた葉が地面に落ちている。
Withered leaves are lying on the ground.
Describing a person who looks drained, aged, or lacking vitality; or abstract things like hopes that have faded.
Used figuratively for a person who has lost youthful vigor, often in a positive sense of mature, seasoned, or mellow. Can also mean 'dry' as in humor.
彼は枯れた味わいのある俳優だ。
He is an actor with a withered (mature, seasoned) charm.
Describing skin that is wrinkled, dry, or lacking elasticity, often due to age or dehydration.
Describes something wrinkled or shriveled, like an old apple or aged skin. Often used for skin that has lost moisture.
おばあさんの手はしわしわだ。
The old woman's hands are withered.
Means dry and rough, like chapped skin or dry leaves. Emphasizes lack of moisture rather than wrinkles.
枯れる (kareru) implies the plant is dead or completely dried up, while 萎れる (shioreru) means it is wilted but may recover with water. For figurative use, 枯れる often has a positive nuance of maturity, while 萎れる is negative (loss of energy).
Specifically means wilted or drooping, often from lack of water. Can be used for cut flowers or potted plants that are still alive but limp.
水をあげなかったので、花が萎れてしまった。
I didn't water them, so the flowers wilted.
Means dried up or parched, often to a crisp. Stronger than 枯れた, implying complete desiccation.
干からびた野菜はもう食べられない。
The withered vegetables are no longer edible.
He tells dry (withered) jokes.
Means wilted or drooping in spirit; losing motivation or enthusiasm. Common in casual speech.
失敗して気持ちが萎えた。
I failed and my spirits withered.
Means deflated or withered, like a balloon losing air. Used for hopes, dreams, or enthusiasm that have faded.
彼の夢はしぼんでしまった。
His dreams withered away.
My skin becomes withered (dry) in winter.