塗れ
Stained, Covered in, Smeared, Dirty with, Soaked in
Structure
Noun + まみれ + の + Noun
Noun + まみれ + になって + Phrase
Explanation
The grammar point まみれ, which is almost always written in hiragana, is used to express that something is 'completely covered in', 'smeared with', or 'coated in' something else (A). It is always attached to a noun. When it describes another noun, it takes the form まみれの.
- パティシエ：「顔も手も小麦粉まみれじゃない！ちゃんと拭きなさい。」Pastry Chef: 'Your face and hands are covered in flour! Go wipe them clean.'
- 公園から帰ってきた子供は、頭からつま先まで砂まみれだった。The child who came back from the park was covered in sand from head to toe.
- 彼の話は嘘塗れで、何も信じられない。His story was so full of lies that I can't believe anything he says.
- 緊張して、汗まみれの手でマイクを握った。I was so nervous, I gripped the microphone with my sweat-soaked hands.
Almost always, まみれ carries a negative connotation. This applies to undesirable physical substances like dirt, sweat, or dust, but it can also be used for non-physical concepts that are viewed unfavorably, such as mistakes or lies.
Fun Fact
まみれ is derived from the る-Verb 塗れる. This verb shares its kanji and a similar sense with 塗る, which means 'to paint' or 'to coat'. As such, both まみれる and まみれ refer to something being covered on its exterior, not filled on the inside.
Examples
ペンキを塗っていたら、服がペンキまみれになった。
While I was painting, my clothes got covered in paint.
娘は、顔も手も小麦粉塗れのまま笑っていた。
My daughter was laughing with her face and hands still covered in flour.
彼は全身傷まみれになっても、決して諦めなかった。
Even after his whole body became covered in wounds, he never gave up.
スパゲッティを食べると口の周りがソースまみれになるのは仕方がない。
When you eat spaghetti, you can't help but get your mouth smeared with sauce.
映画の最後のシーンで、彼女の顔は涙まみれだった。
In the last scene of the movie, her face was stained with tears.
この報告書は誤字脱字まみれだ。まったく読めたものじゃない。
This report is riddled with typos and omissions. It's completely unreadable.
彼の黒いスーツの肩はフケまみれだった。
The shoulders of his black suit were covered in dandruff.
君の話は嘘まみれじゃないか！もう信用できないよ。
Your story is just full of lies! I can't trust you anymore.
部長：「また遅刻か。君のレポートは言い訳まみれだな。」
部下：「も、申し訳ありません…」
Manager: 'Late again? Your report is just riddled with excuses.'
Subordinate: 'I-I'm terribly sorry...'
後悔まみれの人生なんて、送りたくないものだ。
I don't want to live a life filled with regret.
政治家の演説は矛盾まみれで、何を信じたらいいのか分からなくなった。
The politician's speech was so full of contradictions, I no longer knew what to believe.
先輩から後輩へ：「文句まみれの毎日を過ごすより、何か行動を起こすべきだよ。」
From a senior to a junior: 'Instead of spending every day awash in complaints, you should take some action.'