荒すさぶ

godan verb (-bu), intransitive verb

grow wild; run to waste; become degenerate

Describes a place, garden, or state of affairs becoming overgrown, neglected, or morally degraded. Often used in literary or descriptive contexts.

See also: 荒む

• 長ながい間あいだ手て入いれをしなかったので、庭にわが荒すさび放ほう題だいだ。

  Since it wasn't cared for a long time, the garden has grown completely wild.

godan verb (-bu), intransitive verb

become rough; lose refinement; deteriorate (skill)

Used for skills, crafts, or artistic ability becoming coarse or unpolished due to lack of practice. Also for manners or taste declining.

• しばらく描かいていなかったので、絵えの腕うでが荒すさんでしまった。

  Since I hadn't drawn for a while, my painting skills deteriorated.

godan verb (-bu), auxiliary verb, intransitive verb

intensify; become more severe

Auxiliary verb use, usually attached to the masu-stem of another verb. Indicates that wind, rain, or a condition becomes stronger or more violent. Often written in kana.

• 夜よるになって風かぜが吹ふきすさんできた。

  As night fell, the wind began to blow fiercely.

godan verb (-bu), intransitive verb

amuse oneself; play around; do as one pleases

Only when written 遊ぶ

Archaic sense, restricted to the kanji 遊ぶ. Refers to idly enjoying oneself or acting willfully. Not used in modern Japanese.

• 古こ典てんでは「遊すさぶ」と書かいて「すさぶ」と読よませ、気きままに楽たのしむ意いを表あらわすことがある。

  In classical texts, 遊ぶ is sometimes read as すさぶ, meaning to enjoy oneself freely.