JLPT N1 Grammar

〜まみれ (mamire)

〜まみれ (mamire)
“Covered with; stained with; smeared with; full of”

This expression is used to describe a surface or a state that is completely covered or stained with something undesirable, such as liquid, powder, or small particles. It often carries a negative, messy, or unpleasant connotation, implying that the object or person is "drenched" or "suffused" with the substance.

  • Formality: Neutral to casual in spoken Japanese; common in descriptive writing and journalism.
  • Context: Used frequently in daily life to describe physical messes (mud, blood, sweat) or abstract negative states (debt, lies). In a business context, it might appear in reports regarding workplace accidents or describing a "debt-ridden" company.
  • Nuance: Unlike similar expressions, 〜まみれ implies the substance is actually clinging to or covering the surface. It is almost exclusively used for things perceived as dirty, unpleasant, or burdensome. You wouldn't use it for something positive like "covered in flowers."

Format

  • Noun + まみれ
    砂まみれになって遊ぶ。 To play and get covered in sand.
    彼は事故で血まみれになった。 He was covered in blood due to the accident.
    この本棚は埃まみれだ。 This bookshelf is covered in dust.
    あの会社は借金まみれで倒産寸前だ。 That company is riddled with debt and on the verge of bankruptcy.

Example sentences

  • 、。
    After working all day at a construction site, one gets covered in dust.
  • 、。
    That venture company deceived investors with a business plan full of lies and no substance.
  • 、。
    The documents in the warehouse that had been neglected for years are all covered in mold.
  • 、。
    After the rugby match, the players, covered in mud, praised each other's efforts.
  • 、。
    In order to break free from debt-ridden management, large-scale restructuring was carried out.
  • 、。
    I grew up watching my father's back as he worked, covered in grease/oil.
  • 。
    The culprit fled the scene, leaving behind a blood-stained knife.
  • 、。
    I changed my sweat-soaked shirt and immediately headed to the next meeting.
  • 、、。
    His past is riddled with suspicion, and no one knows the true story.
  • 。
    Cleaning precision equipment that has become covered in sand is an extremely difficult task.

Similar Grammar

〜だらけ (darake)

“Full of; covered in”
この答案は間違いだらけだ。 This answer sheet is full of mistakes.

Difference:

  • 〜だらけ is used for things scattered over a surface or a high frequency of something (mistakes, trash, wrinkles). It doesn't necessarily mean "smeared" or "covered smoothly" like 〜まみれ. You can have a room "full of trash" (だらけ), but trash doesn't "smear" (まみれ) a room.
  • Watch out for: 〜まみれ (mamire) vs 〜だらけ (darake) in JLPT questions: If it's a liquid or powder that is messy and sticking to you (blood, mud, sweat), choose まみれ. If it's objects or abstract points (mistakes, debt, trash), だらけ is often safer.

〜ずくめ (zukume)

“Entirely; nothing but”
今日はいいことずくめの一日だった。 Today was a day of nothing but good things.

Difference:

  • Used for things that are 100% one color or one type of event.
  • Often used for positive things (unlike まみれ) or fixed expressions like 黒ずくめ (all in black).

〜びる (biru)

"To look like; to behave as”
大人びた表情 (An adult-like expression).

Difference:

  • This describes an appearance or quality, not a physical coating of a substance.

JLPT Practice Questions

Now let’s test your understanding.

Q1. のにより、のは（　　　）のを。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q2. の、されたはミス（　　　）であり、に。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q3. ので、のはにして（　　　）になってしまった。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q4. のは、（　　　）であったが、はだった。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q5. したのは、の（　　　）、を。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q6. のは、にも（　　　）で、なを。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q7. （　　　）のを、彼はにした。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q8. にがし、が（　　　）に。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q9. には（　　　）がため、を。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q10. （　　　）のをが、なをしてもがない。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q11. のは、は（　　　）で、とてもながする。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q12. でし、（　　　）でを、はにした。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q13. は（　　　）で、をするのだ。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q14. （　　　）のをすべく、に。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q15. （　　　）のをと、のに。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Continue Your Journey to Native-Level Fluency

Great work finishing this session! Achieving N1-level precision is about layering these subtle distinctions until they become second nature in your professional life.

To maintain your momentum and eliminate any remaining blind spots, head back to our JLPT N1 Grammar List. Use it to systematically check off each point and refine your ability to navigate complex Japanese environments with the confidence of a native speaker.

JLPT N1 Grammar List

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