とろける

と

ろ

け

る

JLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

melt; become soft or liquid

usually written using kana alone

Describes something solid becoming soft or liquid, often from heat. Commonly used for food like cheese or chocolate.

。

Chocolate that melts in your mouth.

2

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

usually written using kana alone

Figurative use: to be emotionally melted, charmed, or captivated by someone or something. Often used in romantic or aesthetic contexts.

とろけるUsage89%
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms 蕩ける and 盪ける are rare.
蕩とろけるUsage11%
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; the kana spelling is strongly preferred.
溶とろけるUsage<1%
search-only kanji form
盪とろける
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; the kana spelling is strongly preferred.

溶とける
溶ける is a general term for melting or dissolving, while とろける emphasizes a soft, gooey, or emotionally melting quality.
蕩とろかす
The transitive counterpart meaning 'to melt (something) into a soft state' or 'to captivate'. とろける is intransitive.

The origin is uncertain; it may be related to the mimetic word とろとろ (sticky, syrupy). The kanji 蕩 and 盪 are rare ateji.