水みずも滴したたる

Meanings

1

expression, godan verb (-ru)

drippingly handsome; splendidly good-looking

Idiomatic phrase describing a man as so fresh and attractive that water seems to drip from him. Often used in the set phrase 水も滴るいい男 or 水も滴る美男子.

彼かれは水みずも滴したたるいい男おとこだ。
He is a splendidly handsome man.
水みずも滴したたる美び男だん子しが雑ざっ誌しの表ひょう紙しを飾かざ

っ

た

。

A drippingly handsome man graced the cover of the magazine.

Written forms

水みずも滴したたる
Standard kanji spelling for this idiomatic phrase.
水みずもしたたる
Kana spelling of the verb part; sometimes used for clarity or stylistic effect.

Kanji

水water
滴drip, drop

Similar words

美び男だん子し
美男子 is a straightforward noun for a handsome man, while 水も滴る is a vivid idiomatic expression emphasizing fresh, striking attractiveness.
二に枚まい目め
二枚目 refers to a handsome man or a romantic lead, often in a theatrical or film context, whereas 水も滴る is a more poetic, visual description of male beauty.

Etymology

The phrase literally means 'even water drips,' evoking the image of a man so fresh and attractive that water seems to bead on him. The exact origin is uncertain, but it is a traditional Japanese idiom for male beauty.