枯れる
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Base dictionary form. Ichidan verb: ends in『る』 and keeps its stem for all conjugations. Used for plants losing vitality or dying naturally.
Theme
In a garden, User and their neighbor Aoi are talking about plant care and noticing some issues with the flowers.
枯れる
かれる
to wither / to die (plant)
Nature & EnvironmentPlants
verbICHIDAN (ru-verb)
Memory Hook
Imagine a plant that's 'careless' (枯れる kareru sounds like 'careless') and withers away because no one watered it. 'Careless' → 枯れる (kareru, 'to wither').
Cultural Note
『枯れる』 (kareru) is often used in poetry and literature to describe the natural cycle of plants withering, symbolizing transience or the end of a season. It can also refer to plants dying due to neglect or harsh conditions, reflecting themes in Japanese aesthetics like『侘寂』 (wabi-sabi, 'beauty in imperfection').
Forms
Base: 枯れるBase dictionary form. Ichidan verb: ends in『る』 and keeps its stem for all conjugations. Used for plants losing vitality or dying naturally.
Polite: 枯れますDrop『る』 (-ru) → add『ます』 (masu, polite marker) →『枯れます』 (karemasu, 'wither [polite]').
Negative: 枯れないDrop『る』 (-ru) → add『ない』 (nai, 'not') →『枯れない』 (karenai, 'do not wither').
Past: 枯れたDrop『る』 (-ru) → add『た』 (ta, past marker) →『枯れた』 (kareta, 'withered').
Te: 枯れてDrop『る』 (-ru) → add『て』 (te) →『枯れて』 (karete). Used for linking actions or in requests, though less common for plants.
Volitional: 枯れようDrop『る』 (-ru) → add『よう』 (you, volitional) →『枯れよう』 (kareyou, 'let’s wither'). Often used metaphorically or in poetic contexts.
Conditional: 枯れればDrop『る』 (-ru) → add『れば』 (reba, conditional) →『枯れれば』 (karereba, 'if (something) withers').
Potential: 枯れられるAdd『られる』 (rareru, potential) to the stem →『枯れられる』 (karerareru, 'can wither'). Used for ability, e.g., a plant's natural process.
Passive: 枯れられるAdd passive marker『られる』 (rareru) → same surface form as potential; meaning depends on context, e.g., a plant being affected by drought.
Causative: 枯れさせるAdd causative marker『させる』 (saseru) →『枯れさせる』 (karesaseru). Used for causing a plant to wither, e.g., through neglect.
Imperative: 枯れろDrop『る』 (-ru) → add『ろ』 (ro, command) →『枯れろ』 (karero). Rarely used literally, more in figurative speech.
Progressive: 枯れているTe-form『枯れて』 +『いる』 (iru, continuous) →『枯れている』 (karete iru, 'is withering').