しみ
shimi
The English phrase "spots" is translated into Japanese as しみ (shimi).
しみ refers to small, dark patches or marks on the skin. It is also the standard term used to describe liquid stains on materials such as clothing or paper.
How do you pronounce it?
shimi
Did you know?
- In traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, a しみ or stain on a tea bowl is sometimes viewed as 'wabi-sabi', an appreciation of imperfection and age.
- The word しみ is a homophone for other words like 至味, which refers to the most exquisite flavor of a food.
- If you are talking about patterns like 'polka dots' on fabric, you would not use しみ but rather the loanword 'pōka dotsu' or the word 水玉 (mizutama), which literally means 'water drops'.
Examples in context
- その本のカバーにはインクのしみがいくつかあった。There were some ink spots on the book jacket.This sentence shows how to use しみ when referring to ink spots on a book cover.Tatoeba #206703 by bunbuku, translation #43951 by Luornu
- 顔に新しいしみが出てきた。Kao ni atarashii shimi ga detekita.New spots have appeared on my face.
- 日焼けの後にしみが増えた。Hiyake no ato ni shimi ga fueta.The spots increased after the sunburn.
Example conversation
Hiyori and Kenta are talking about skincare.
- 陽葵 Himari健太くん、この顔のしみが気になるの。Kenta-kun, kono kao no shimi ga ki ni naru no.Kenta, these spots on my face are bothering me.
- 健太 Kenta日焼けしすぎたのかもしれないね。Hiyake shisugita no kamoshirenai ne.Maybe you got too much sun.
- 陽葵 Himariどうすればしみが薄くなるかな？Dō sureba shimi ga usuku naru kana?I wonder how I can fade these spots?
- 健太 Kentaまずはしっかり日焼け止めを塗ろう。Mazu wa shikkari hiyakedome o nurō.First, make sure to apply sunscreen.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries しみ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
