Meaning

Primary

To Swell

Alternative

To Become Inflamed

Word Type

intransitive verb, ichidan verb

Explanation

This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means swelling so the verb vocab version is to swell or to become inflamed.

腫れる is used when a part of the body visibly swells up, like a swollen face, a bug bite, or puffy eyes from crying.

Reading

はれる
  • Miyuki
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The reading is the same as the one you learned with the kanji, and that sure is… swell.

Context

Pattern of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 顔が腫れる

    face swells up

    まぶたが腫れる

    eyelids swell up

    リンパ節が腫れる

    lymph nodes get swollen

    歯ぐきが腫れる

    gums get swollen

Context Sentences

虫に刺されて、手が腫れた。

I got bitten by a bug and my hand swelled up.

たくさん泣いたので、目がパンパンに腫れちゃいました。

I cried a lot, so my eyes got super puffy.

親知らずを抜く時は、ほっぺがめちゃくちゃ腫れることが多いみたいだよ。

Apparently, it's common for your cheek to swell up really badly when getting a wisdom tooth removed.

Kanji Composition