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Word 3499 of 4449

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綻びる

ほころびる

to come apart at the seams; to begin to open (of buds); to break into a smile

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Examples

  1. 彼女のドレスのへりは綻びていた。

    かのじょのドレスのへりはほころびていた。

    The border of her dress was torn.

  2. 袖口が綻びてしまった。

    そでぐちがほころびてしまった。

    The cuff has come apart at the seam.

  3. 梅の蕾が綻び始めた。

    うめのつぼみがほころびはじめた。

    The plum buds have started to open.

  4. 孫の顔を見て、祖父の顔が綻びた。

    まごのかおをみて、そふのかおがほころびた。

    Seeing his grandchild's face, my grandfather broke into a smile.

Common patterns

縫い目が綻びる
for a seam to come undone
蕾が綻びる
for buds to open
顔が綻びる
for one's face to break into a smile

Memory tip

One image behind three uses: something tightly closed coming slightly open — a seam, a bud, a solemn face. 破れる is a tear in the cloth itself; 綻びる is the stitching giving way.

Kanji in this word

  • 綻Not in the N5–N1 kanji lists

Quick check

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What does 綻びる mean?