澄すます

godan verb (-su), transitive verb

clear; make clear; clarify

Transitive use for making liquid, the mind, or a state clear, pure, or free of muddiness. Often feels more literary or careful than everyday verbs such as きれいにする.

• あくを取とり除のぞいてスープを澄すます。

  Remove the scum to clarify the soup.

• 雑ざつ念ねんを払はらい、心こころを澄すます。

  Clear your mind of distracting thoughts.

godan verb (-su), transitive verb

look unconcerned; remain unruffled; feign indifference

Used for acting calm or unconcerned, sometimes deliberately, despite something that might normally cause embarrassment or reaction. Common in expressions like 澄ました顔をする.

• 彼かれはミスを指し摘てきされても、澄すました顔かおをしていた。

  Even when his mistake was pointed out, he looked unconcerned.

godan verb (-su), transitive verb

look prim; look demure; put on airs

Describes a composed, prim, or slightly affected manner. Depending on context it can sound cute, restrained, aloof, or critical.

• 子こどもが新あたらしい服ふくを着きて、澄すまして座すわっている。

  The child is sitting there primly in new clothes.

• 彼かれはいつも澄すましていて、少すこし話はなしかけにくい。

  He always puts on an aloof air, so he is a little hard to approach.

godan verb (-su), transitive verb

strain one's ears; listen carefully

Usually appears in the fixed expression 耳を澄ます, meaning to listen attentively, especially for a faint or distant sound.

See also: 耳を澄ます (みみをすます)

• 森もりの中なかで耳みみを澄すますと、小お川がわの音おとが聞きこえた。

  When I strained my ears in the forest, I could hear the sound of a stream.