肥こえる

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

become fertile (soil)

Used for land or soil that has become rich and productive, often through cultivation or natural processes.

• 火か山ざん灰ばいのおかげで畑はたけが肥こえた。

  The fields became fertile thanks to the volcanic ash.

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

be discerning; be refined; have a good eye/palate/ear

Often used in phrases like 目が肥える (develop a discerning eye) or 舌が肥える (develop a refined palate). Implies cultivated taste through experience.

See also: 目が肥える

• 彼かれは美び術じゅつ館かんに通かよって目めが肥こえた。

  He developed a discerning eye by frequenting art museums.

• 美び食しょく家かの舌したは肥こえている。

  A gourmet has a refined palate.

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

become rich; become wealthy

Somewhat dated or literary; modern Japanese more often uses 裕福になる or 金持ちになる. Still seen in fixed expressions or older texts.

• あの商しょう人にんは一いち代だいで肥こえたそうだ。

  That merchant is said to have become wealthy in a single generation.