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Formation: N + まみれ; N + まみれになる / まみれだ; N + まみれの + N

〜まみれ means the whole surface is coated with something that clings, usually a liquid, powder or grime such as 汗, 血, 泥, ほこり or 油. It is also used figuratively for unpleasant things one is mired in, such as 借金まみれ or 欲まみれ. It is unwanted and negative, and the tone ranges from neutral description to disgust. It is used in both speech and writing. Compared with 〜だらけ, which means 'full of' many separate things (間違いだらけ, 傷だらけ, ゴミだらけ), まみれ is about being covered with something that sticks. You cannot say 間違いまみれ or 傷まみれ, though some nouns such as 泥 or ほこり take both. 〜ずくめ means 'entirely X' and is often neutral or positive (黒ずくめ, いいことずくめ).

Variants: 〜まみれになる、〜まみれの、〜まみれだ

Examples

• 子どもたちは泥まみれになって遊んでいた。
  The children were playing, covered in mud.
• 現場には血まみれのシャツが残されていた。
  A blood-soaked shirt had been left at the scene.
• 事業に失敗し、彼は借金まみれになった。
  After his business failed, he ended up buried in debt.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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