GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜まみれ
Describes a person or object whose surface is extensively covered with an unwelcome substance such as mud or sweat.
Examples
救助隊員は泥まみれになりながら、倒れた家屋の状態を点検した。
Covered in mud, the rescue worker inspected the collapsed house.
Words used
作業服は汗まみれだった。
The work clothes were soaked in sweat.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Attach
まみれto a substance noun such as mud or sweat to describe an unwelcome material covering much of a person's or object's surface. - Basic usage:
作業服は汗まみれだった。means that the work clothes were soaked in sweat.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Describing a state and modifying a noun
泥まみれになるdescribes becoming covered in mud, while泥まみれの服names clothes in that state. Useのbefore a following noun.
- Range compared with だらけ
泥まみれfocuses on material coating a surface. The more widely applicableだらけsuits numerous faults, as in間違いだらけ.