JLPT N0・N5 Vocabulary – Difference between “消える” “消え入る” and “消え去る”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “消える” “消え入る” and “消え去る”
2. 消える
3. 消え入る
4. 消え去る
5. Let’s Compare
6. Summary
7. Quiz
8. Similar Articles
9. Comment
Q: What is the difference between “消える”, “消え入る”, and “消え去る”?
A: All three words share the basic meaning of “something no longer existing” or “becoming invisible,” but each carries a different nuance and is used differently. Choosing the right word depends on the situation and what you want to express.
消える (JLPT N5)
[Meaning]
A general word that expresses the idea of “disappearing” or “ceasing to exist” in a broad sense, including physical, sensory, and abstract things.
① Something visible disappears and can no longer be seen
② A state in which fire or heat is no longer present
③ Sensory elements such as smells or sounds fade and can no longer be perceived
④ Emotions or impressions felt in the heart disappear
⑤ Something no longer exists, and its whereabouts become unknown
[Examples]
雲が風に流されて消えました。（①）
The clouds were blown away by the wind and disappeared.
ガスが消えているか確認をしてください。（②）
Please check if the gas is turned off.
変なにおいがしていたけど、消えたね。（③）
There was a strange smell, but it’s gone now.
やがてその苦しみも消えて楽になるでしょう。（④）
Eventually, that pain will fade and you’ll feel better.
ここにいた猫が、急に消えました。（⑤）
The cat that was here suddenly disappeared.
消え入る (JLPT N0)
[Meaning]
“消え入る” is an expression that describes something fading away weakly and quietly.
① Gradually disappearing
② Becoming faint or losing consciousness due to sadness or embarrassment
③ Passing away peacefully and quietly
[Examples]
彼女は自信なさげに、消え入るような声で話しています。（①）
She is speaking in a faint, almost disappearing voice, as if lacking confidence.
恥ずかしさのあまり、私は消え入るような思いでうつむきました。（②）
Overwhelmed by embarrassment, I lowered my head, feeling as if I could vanish.
祖父は消え入るように息を引き取りました。（③）
My grandfather passed away quietly, as if fading away.
消え去る (JLPT N0)
[Meaning]
Refers to something—such as a figure, emotion, or memory—completely disappearing without a trace. It can be used for both physical and abstract things. Because it contains the word “去る” (to leave), it carries a stronger nuance of permanent disappearance than “消える”.
[Examples]
この薬を飲んだら痛みが消え去りました。
After taking this medicine, the pain completely went away.
昨日までの不安は消え去り、自信をもてるようになりました。
The anxiety I had until yesterday has disappeared, and now I feel more confident.
しっかり休んだので、疲れは完全に消え去りました。
After getting plenty of rest, my fatigue completely vanished.
Let’s Compare
“消える”、”消え入る”、”消え去る” all share the meaning of “disappearing” or “ceasing to exist,” but each differs in nuance and usage. Let’s compare them along with example sentences.
[消える]
This is the most general and commonly used expression. It broadly means “to become invisible” or “to no longer exist.” It can be used for both physical and abstract things, and frequently appears in everyday conversation.
[Examples]
夜が明けると、たくさんの星は空から消えます。
When morning comes, many stars disappear from the sky.
⇒ (Physical) Stars that were visible at night are no longer visible in the morning.
失恋の悲しみが時間と共に消えていきました。
The sadness from my heartbreak gradually faded over time.
⇒ (Abstract) The feeling of sadness slowly disappeared.
[消え入る]
This expression has a weaker, fainter nuance than “消える.” It is often used for delicate, abstract subjects like a voice, feeling, or life. It frequently appears in literary or emotional contexts.
[Examples]
大勢の前で間違いを指摘され、消え入りたいような気持ちになりました。
I was corrected in front of a large group of people and felt like I wanted to disappear.
⇒ (Abstract) A feeling of deep embarrassment, as if your presence is fading.
祖母は家族に見守られながら、消え入るようにこの世を去りました。
My grandmother passed away peacefully, as if fading from this world while surrounded by her family.
⇒ (Life) Describes a gentle and quiet passing without suffering.
[消え去る]
With the addition of “去る” (to leave), this expression emphasizes complete and irreversible disappearance. It is used for both physical and abstract things, and is appropriate in situations where the change is final and lasting.
[Examples]
犯人と思われる男は、人込みの中に消え去り、行方がわからなくなりました。
The man believed to be the suspect disappeared into the crowd, and his whereabouts became unknown.
⇒ (Physical) He vanished completely, making it impossible to track him.
過去の苦い記憶が、時とともにゆっくりと消え去っていきました。
The painful memories of the past slowly faded away with time.
⇒ (Abstract) This strongly expresses how memories or emotions completely disappear.
Summary
[消える]
- A commonly used expression that can refer to a wide range of things, from physical objects to abstract concepts like emotions.
- Basic meanings include:
① Something visible disappears and can no longer be seen
② Fire or heat ceases to be present
③ Sensory experiences like smells or sounds fade and can no longer be perceived
④ Emotions or impressions felt in the heart vanish
⑤ Something ceases to exist entirely, and its whereabouts become unknown
[消え入る]
- Carries the nuance of something fading away weakly and faintly, especially when referring to abstract things.
- It is often used in contexts related to life and death, describing someone passing away gently and peacefully, without suffering.
[消え去る]
- An expression that can apply to both physical and abstract things, and has a stronger meaning than “消える”.
- It implies something has disappeared completely and without a trace, emphasizing a decisive and irreversible change.
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. 消え入る
彼は小さな声で消え入るように「ありがとう」とつぶやきました。
He whispered “thank you” in a faint, almost disappearing voice.
*The phrase “in a small voice” conveys faintness and fragility, making “消え入る” the most appropriate choice.
A. 消え
霧が濃くなり、遠くの景色が少しずつ消えました。
As the fog thickened, the distant scenery gradually disappeared.
*This describes how the scenery, once visible, slowly became invisible, so “消えた” is the natural expression.
A. 消え入る
犬のポチは静かに消え入るように息を引き取りました。
Pochi the dog quietly passed away, as if fading from existence.
*This expresses a gentle, peaceful end of life, so “消え入る,” which conveys delicate disappearance, is fitting.
A. 消え去り
彼の優しい言葉を聞いて、不安がすっと消え去りました。
Upon hearing his kind words, my anxiety instantly vanished.
*The word “すっと” implies something disappearing quickly and without a trace, so “消え去った,” which emphasizes complete disappearance, is the appropriate choice.
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