干ひからびる

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

dry up; shrivel; become completely dry

Describes something losing moisture and shrinking or hardening, often to an extreme degree. Used for food, plants, soil, skin, etc.

• パンが干ひからびてカチカチになった。

  The bread dried up and became rock hard.

• 日ひ照でり続つづきで畑はたけの土つちが干ひからびている。

  The soil in the field has dried up due to the continuing drought.

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

wither (of talents, feelings); become desiccated (of ideas)

Figurative use: describes creativity, emotions, or inspiration drying up and losing vitality. Often used with 才能, 感性, 心, etc.

• 同おなじ作さ業ぎょうばかりで感かん性せいが干ひからびてしまいそうだ。

  I feel like my creativity is withering away from doing the same task over and over.

• 忙いそがしすぎて心こころが干ひからびる思おもいだった。

  I was so busy that I felt my spirit was drying up.