Translation and Meaning of: 濁る - nigoru

Explanation and Etymology - (濁る) nigoru

The Japanese word 「濁る」 (nigoru) is a verb that translates into various languages as "to become cloudy" or "to become murky." In the Japanese language, it is used to describe situations where something, be it water, air, or even sounds, becomes cloudy or indistinct. This expression is commonly used in everyday life, especially in contexts related to atmospheric conditions, liquids, or in metaphoric descriptions of emotional states.

The etymology of 「濁る」 (nigoru) has roots in the kanji characters that make it up. The kanji 「濁」 is formed by the radical 「氵」 which means water, and 「虫」 which represents something intrusive or dirty. This combination suggests the idea of contamination by the presence of impurities, thus leading to the concept of turbidity. This radical 「氵」 is common in words related to water, reinforcing its connection to changes in the clarity of liquids.

In addition to its more direct definition, "nigoru" is often used figuratively. For example, in contexts where sounds become indistinct or voices are muffled, the term can be employed to describe this quality. Similarly, it can describe a confused or uncertain emotional state, alluding to how thoughts or feelings can become jumbled and lose clarity. This versatility in the use of the term demonstrates its importance in contemporary Japanese vocabulary, making it an essential part of describing nuances of both the environment and human emotions.