JLPT N1
まみれ
Covered in / Smeared with
Structure
Noun まみれ
How it works
The grammar point 'まみれ' is used to describe a state where someone or something is completely covered in a liquid or fine-grained substance, typically one that is unpleasant, dirty, or undesirable. It implies that the substance is sticking to the surface of the object. Common pairings include blood, mud, dust, and sweat.
Examples
サッカーの練習の後、彼は泥まみれになって帰ってきた。
After soccer practice, he came home covered in mud.
激しい運動をしたので、全身が汗まみれだ。
I did some intense exercise, so my whole body is smeared with sweat.
何年も放置されていた部屋は埃まみれだった。
The room that had been left for years was covered in dust.
Common mistakes
Do not confuse 'まみれ' with 'だらけ'. While both mean 'covered in', 'まみれ' is specifically for sticky or powdery substances on a surface, whereas 'だらけ' is for a high frequency of items (like mistakes or holes) or things scattered across a surface.
Tip
Think of 'まみれ' as something that would be difficult to wash off. It is almost exclusively used for negative or dirty things, with 'blood' (血まみれ) and 'mud' (泥まみれ) being the most common examples.
More JLPT N1 grammar
See まみれ in real Japanese
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