ほころびる

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

come apart at the seams; rip; tear

Describes fabric, seams, or stitched items splitting open, often from wear or strain. Intransitive; the subject is the thing that tears.

See also: ほころぶ

• このズボンは股またのところがほころびてしまった。

  These pants have come apart at the crotch seam.

• 古ふるいソファの縫ぬい目めがほころび始はじめている。

  The seams of the old sofa are starting to rip.

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

begin to open; begin to bloom

Used for buds, flowers, or tightly closed things starting to open. Often poetic or literary.

See also: ほころぶ

• 庭にわの梅うめのつぼみがほころび始はじめた。

  The plum buds in the garden have begun to open.

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

break into a smile; smile broadly

Describes a face or expression softening into a smile, often involuntarily. Common in the phrase 顔がほころびる.

See also: ほころぶ

• 赤あかちゃんを見みて、彼かれの顔かおが思おもわずほころびた。

  Seeing the baby, his face broke into an involuntary smile.

• うれしい知しらせに、母ははの顔かおがほころびた。

  At the happy news, my mother's face lit up with a smile.