染しみ透とおる

し

み

と

お

る

Meanings

1

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

soak through; permeate

Describes liquid or moisture penetrating a material and reaching the other side. Often used for sweat, rain, or dye.

汗あせがシャツに染しみ透とおった。
Sweat soaked through my shirt.
雨あめがレインコートに染しみ透とおってきた。
The rain has started to soak through my raincoat.

2

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

be deeply impressed; sink in emotionally

Figurative use: an emotion, realization, or teaching deeply penetrates one's heart or mind. Often used with 心に.

先せん生せいの言こと葉ばが心こころに染しみ透とおった。
The teacher's words sank deep into my heart.
その映えい画がのメッセージが観かん客きゃくの心こころに染しみ透とおった。
The film's message deeply impressed the audience.

Written forms

染しみ透とおるUsage18%
Standard kanji spelling; 染み (stain/soak) + 透る (pass through).
しみとおるUsage48%
染しみとおるUsage21%
Common mixed kana-kanji spelling.
染しみ通とおるUsage12%
Alternate kanji for とおる; less common than 透る.
沁しみ透とおる
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form using 沁み (permeate emotionally).

Kanji

染dye, color, paint
透transparent, permeate, filter
通traffic, pass through, avenue
沁

Similar words

染しみる
染みる is a more general verb for 'to soak in' or 'to sting', while 染み透る emphasizes penetration all the way through.
透とおる
透る means 'to pass through' or 'to be transparent', but 染み透る specifically adds the nuance of liquid or emotion permeating.

Etymology

Compound of 染み (stem of 染みる 'soak in') + 透る ('pass through'). The figurative sense likely developed from the physical image of liquid seeping through.

penetrate, soak in