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 う 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