しける

し

け

る

Meanings

1

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

be stormy; be rough (sea)

usually written using kana alone

Describes rough sea conditions with high waves and bad weather, often used in fishing or maritime contexts.

今日きょうは海うみがしけているから、漁りょうに出でられない。
The sea is rough today, so we can't go fishing.

2

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

be in a slump; be broke; go through hard times

usually written using kana alone

Refers to financial difficulty or a period of poor business, often used for individuals or small businesses.

今こん月げつは客きゃくが少すくなくて、店みせがしけている。
Business is slow this month; the shop is in a slump.

3

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

be gloomy; be glum; feel down

usually written using kana alone

Describes a person's low spirits or depressed mood, often due to bad weather, failure, or disappointment.

雨あめで試し合あいが中ちゅう止しになって、みんなしけている。
The game was canceled because of rain, and everyone is feeling down.

Written forms

しけるUsage64%
Usually written in kana; the kanji form 時化る is ateji and rare.
時化しけるUsage36%
ateji (phonetic kanji usage)
Ateji spelling; rarely used in modern writing.

Kanji

時time, hour
化change, take the form of, influence

Similar words

荒あれる
荒れる is a broader term for 'be rough' or 'be stormy' and can apply to weather, sea, or even skin conditions, while しける is more specific to the sea or metaphorical slumps.
落おち込こむ
落ち込む is a common word for 'feel depressed' or 'be down', whereas しける is more colloquial and often implies a temporary, weather-related gloom.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain; the kanji 時化る is ateji and does not reflect the word's derivation. It may be related to the verb 湿気る (しける, 'become damp'), but the connection is speculative.