さめざめ

さ

め

ざ

め

JLPTN1

Meanings

1

adverb taking the 'to' particle, adverb

weep quietly; cry bitterly

Describes crying in a subdued, heartbroken way, often with tears streaming down. Used with verbs like 泣く. The 'bitterly' nuance comes from the depth of sorrow, not loud sobbing.

彼かの女じょはさめざめと泣ないた。

She wept quietly, tears streaming down her face.

Usage patterns

〈人ひと〉がさめざめと泣なくfor someone to weep quietly, with tears streaming down
彼かの女じょは夫おっとの死しを知しらされ、さめざめと泣ないた。
When told of her husband's death, she wept quietly, tears streaming down her face.
さめざめと涙なみだを流ながすto shed tears quietly and sorrowfully
老ろう婆ばは昔むかしの思おもい出でを語かたりながら、さめざめと涙なみだを流ながした。

The old woman shed quiet tears as she talked about old memories.