しみる

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

soak into; permeate; seep through; penetrate

Intransitive use for liquid, color, smell, cold, etc. entering or spreading through something. The thing entered is often marked with に or まで.

• インクが紙かみにしみる。

  The ink soaks into the paper.

• 雨あめが靴くつ下したまでしみてきた。

  The rain soaked through to my socks.

• 煙けむりのにおいが服ふくにしみた。

  The smell of smoke permeated my clothes.

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

sting; smart; irritate; bite with cold

Used when water, smoke, medicine, cold air, etc. causes a sharp sensation in a wound, eyes, skin, or another sensitive place. 沁みる is a common kanji choice for this nuance, but kana is very common.

• 傷きず口ぐちに水みずがしみる。

  Water stings the wound.

• 玉たまねぎが目めにしみる。

  The onion stings my eyes.

• 冷つめたい風かぜが頬ほほにしみる。

  The cold wind bites into my cheeks.

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

be steeped in; be influenced by; be tainted by

Metaphorical use for being permeated by an influence, especially a bad habit, vice, or prejudice. This use is much less common in modern everyday speech than 染まる or 染みつく.

• 古ふるい文ぶん章しょうでは、「悪あくにしみる」のように、悪わるい影えい響きょうに染そまる意い味みで使つかわれることがある。

  In older writing, expressions such as 悪にしみる can mean being tainted by evil influences.

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

feel keenly; sink into one's heart; make a deep impression; be deeply moved

Emotional or mental use: words, music, kindness, hardship, or gratitude penetrates deeply and is strongly felt. Common in phrases such as 心にしみる, 胸にしみる, and 身にしみる.

• 彼かの女じょの言こと葉ばが胸むねにしみた。

  Her words sank deep into my heart.

• 親おやのありがたさが身みにしみる。

  I keenly feel how much I owe my parents.

• 静しずかな音おん楽がくが心こころにしみる。

  The quiet music moves me deeply.