舐なめる

ichidan verb, transitive verb

lick; lap; suck

Physical action of drawing the tongue across something; also used for animals lapping up liquids.

• 猫ねこがミルクを舐なめている。

  The cat is lapping up milk.

• 切きっ手てを舐なめて封ふう筒とうに貼はった。

  I licked the stamp and stuck it on the envelope.

ichidan verb, transitive verb

taste; try a small amount

To taste something by licking or taking a tiny amount into the mouth; often used when sampling food or drink.

• ちょっとだけ舐なめてみて、味あじを確たしかめた。

  I tasted just a little to check the flavor.

ichidan verb, transitive verb

experience hardship; go through a bitter experience

Metaphorical use: to 'taste' a difficult or painful experience. Often used with words like 辛酸 (hardships) or 苦労 (toil).

• 彼かれは若わかい頃ころに辛しん酸さんを舐なめてきた。

  He went through many hardships when he was young.

ichidan verb, transitive verb

underestimate; make light of; look down on

Colloquial; implies treating someone or something with contempt or not taking them seriously. Often used in the negative imperative 舐めるな (Don't underestimate me/it). Usually written in kana.

• あいつは俺おれを舐なめてるな。

  That guy is looking down on me.

• 舐なめるなよ、まだ終おわってない。

  Don't underestimate me; it's not over yet.

ichidan verb, transitive verb

lick at (flames); burn

Describes flames or fire touching and consuming something; personification of fire 'licking' an object.

• 炎ほのおが建たて物ものを舐なめるように燃もえ広ひろがった。

  The flames spread, licking at the building.