くすぶる

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

smolder; smoke without flame

Describes something burning slowly with smoke but no open flame. Often used for fires, cigarettes, or incense.

• たき火びがくすぶって、煙けむりだけが立たちのぼっている。

  The bonfire is smoldering, with only smoke rising.

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

be sooty; be smoke-stained

Only with reading くすぶる / ふすぶる

Describes a surface or object that has become blackened or discolored by smoke. Often used for ceilings, walls, or kitchenware.

• 長なが年ねん使つかった台だい所どころの天てん井じょうがくすぶっている。

  The kitchen ceiling, used for many years, is smoke-stained.

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

simmer; smolder (of conflict)

Only with reading くすぶる

Figurative use for disputes, dissatisfaction, or tension that persists without open outbreak. Common in phrases like 不満がくすぶる.

• 社しゃ内ないには不ふ満まんがくすぶっている。

  Dissatisfaction is simmering within the company.

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

stay obscure; languish; seclude oneself

Only with reading くすぶる / ふすぶる

Describes a person remaining in a low or unchanging position, living quietly out of the spotlight, or staying at home without advancing. Sense 4 (seclude oneself) is rarer and overlaps with sense 5.

• 彼かれは大だい学がくを出でてからずっと実じっ家かでくすぶっている。

  He has been languishing at his parents' house ever since graduating from university.

• あの俳はい優ゆうは最さい近きんくすぶっているね。

  That actor has been staying out of the limelight lately.