滲みます（にじみます、nijimimasu）
- to blur

The Japanese word 滲みます (にじみます, *nijimimasu*) generally means to "bleed," "run," "smudge," or "seep." It describes the spreading of a liquid or color, often beyond its intended boundary. It can also figuratively express the seeping or arising of emotions or feelings. Think of ink spreading on paper, a tear spreading down a cheek, or a feeling gradually becoming apparent. The word implies a gradual or subtle process. The direct English translation is not always straightforward as it depends on the context, but the core idea remains: something is spreading or becoming diffused. The verb 滲みます is in the polite present/future form. The dictionary form (dictionary form) is 滲む (*nijimu*).

⚫︎ インクが滲んで、文字が読めない。 Translation: The ink has bled, and I can't read the letters. ⚫︎ 悲しみが心に滲みました。 Translation: Sadness seeped into my heart. ⚫︎ 涙が目に滲みました。 Translation: Tears welled up in my eyes.

You use 滲みます when something is spreading or becoming diffused. The context heavily influences its nuances. ⚫︎ With physical objects (ink, paint, etc.): Describe the process where the substance spreads. ⚫︎ With emotions or abstract concepts: It emphasizes the slow, almost imperceptible way a feeling or situation gradually takes hold or becomes apparent. ⚫︎ Polite conversation: Use 滲みます when speaking formally or to show respect. The plain form 滲む (*nijimu*) is for casual conversations.

⚫︎ Kanji: 滲 ⚫︎ Hiragana: にじみます ⚫︎ Katakana: This word is not typically written in katakana. ⚫︎ Okurigana: The okurigana (the suffix hiragana) is always みます, which is the polite form ending for verbs. The okurigana for the dictionary form, which is the base of the word, is む.

⚫︎ 広がる (*hirogaru*): to spread, to expand ⚫︎ 染みる (*shimiru*): to soak in, to permeate (can also describe a feeling) ⚫︎ ぼやける (*boyakeru*): to become blurry or vague (can be used for visual things)

There aren't direct antonyms, but you could consider words that imply containment or remaining confined. The opposite of 滲みます would depend on the specific context. For example: ⚫︎ For ink: 止まる (*tomaru*): to stop (e.g., of ink) ⚫︎ For emotions: 消える (*ieru*): to disappear

雨で、手紙のインクが滲み、読めなくなってしまった。 ・Translation: Because of the rain, the ink on the letter bled, and I couldn't read it. ・Explanation: This sentence demonstrates 滲む used to describe physical bleeding of ink.

彼女の言葉の裏には、寂しさが滲み出ていた。 ・Translation: Sadness was seeping out from behind her words. ・Explanation: This sentence applies 滲む metaphorically to convey the feeling of sadness.

The kanji 滲 is composed of two parts: 氵 (water radical) and 㐱 (representing many small things). This composition subtly reflects the word's meaning related to water spreading subtly, with many points of expansion. The verb 滲む itself probably originated from a combination of the kanji character and the ancient Japanese word for spreading, though exact linguistic origins are not thoroughly understood.