JLPT N0・N2 Vocabulary – Difference between “とける” and “とろける”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “とける” and “とろける”
2. とける
3. とろける
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similer Articles
7. Comment
Q: We often hear the term “とろける cheese,” but are “とける” and “とろける” different?
A: Both mean that something melts, but the situations they describe and their nuances are different.
溶ける (JLPT N2)
[Meaning]
① A solid becomes a liquid due to heat or chemicals
② A substance mixes into a liquid and becomes fully integrated with it
[Commonly used with]
Metals, ice, etc.
[Examples]
暑さで氷が溶けてしまいました。（①）
It was so hot that the ice melted.
お湯に氷を入れると、あっという間に溶けました。（②）
When I put ice into the hot water, it melted in no time.
① When a solid liquefies due to heat
This is mainly used when hard substances such as iron or gold become liquid at high temperatures. It can also be used for non-metals, such as candy or ice.
[Examples]
鉄は約1500度の高温で溶けます。
Iron melts at a high temperature of about 1500 degrees.
高温の炉の中で、金がゆっくりと溶けて液体になりました。
In the high-temperature furnace, the gold slowly melted and turned into liquid.
ポケットに入れていた飴が溶けていました。
The candy I had in my pocket had melted.
屋根の雪が溶けて、水滴がポタポタと落ちています。
The snow on the roof has melted, and water droplets are dripping down.
② When a substance mixes into a liquid and becomes fully integrated
This describes a state in which something like sugar or salt dissolves into a liquid, losing its original form.
[Examples]
固くなったはちみつはお湯で簡単に溶けます。
Hardened honey melts easily in hot water.
インスタントコーヒーはお湯にすぐ溶けるので便利です。
Instant coffee dissolves quickly in hot water, so it’s convenient.
スープに塩を加えると、すぐに溶けて味が良くなりました。
When salt was added to the soup, it dissolved right away and improved the flavor.
蕩ける (JLPT N0)
[Meaning]
① A solid softens when heat is applied, approaching a liquid state
② One’s feelings relax and become enveloped in a gentle sense of happiness
[Commonly used with]
Ice cream, cheese, butter, etc.
[Examples]
舌の上でアイスクリームがとろけていきました。（①）
The ice cream melted away on my tongue.
心地の良い音楽に心がとろけてしまいました。（②）
My heart completely melted in the comfort of the pleasant music.
① When a solid softens due to heat
This describes how items such as cheese or butter, which are solid at room temperature, slowly approach a liquid state when heated.
[Examples]
パンにチーズをのせて焼くと、チーズがとろけました。
When I baked bread with cheese on top, the cheese melted.
熱いパンケーキの上のバターが、とろけていっています。
The butter on the hot pancake is melting away.
It can also describe the texture of food that, even without becoming completely liquid, slowly softens in the mouth and turns into a liquid-like state.
[Examples]
クリーミーなチーズケーキが、口の中でとろけていきます。
The creamy cheesecake melts in your mouth.
このトロはとてもやわらかく、とろけるような食感です。
This fatty tuna is very tender, with a texture that seems to melt away.
② When describing a state of mind figuratively
It can also express not only physical substances but the way the heart relaxes and becomes filled with a sense of happiness or healing.
[Examples]
ゆったりとしたピアノの音色で、心がとろけていくようです。
It feels as if my heart is melting away with the gentle tones of the piano.
⇒ 音色に癒やされ、とてもリラックスした気持ちを表現です。
赤ちゃんの笑顔を見ていると、自然と心がとろけます。
When I see a baby’s smile, my heart naturally melts.
⇒ 幸せな感情で心が満たされていく様子を伝えています。
Let’s Compare
The following example sentences are both grammatically correct and convey the intended meaning, but their nuances differ.
[Example]
チョコレートが口の中でとけました。
チョコレートが口の中でとろけました。
“とける” objectively describes the fact that the chocolate softened due to room temperature or body heat.
In contrast, “とろける” is a subjective expression used for food that conveys deliciousness or a sense of happiness, evoking an impression of flavors slowly spreading in the mouth and a soft texture.
Let’s look at another example.
[Example]
とけるチーズ
とろけるチーズ
“とけるチーズ” is an objective expression that explains the function or characteristic of cheese—namely, that it softens when heated.
“とろけるチーズ” is a more appealing expression describing the look, taste, and texture after heating, such as “softening slowly with heat,” “deliciousness spreading in the mouth,” and “having a tender texture.”
Summary
[とける]
- ① A solid turns into a liquid due to heat or chemicals.
- ② A substance dissolves into a liquid and becomes fully integrated with it.
- A word used to objectively describe a state in which something softens due to room temperature or heating, often to express a solid’s “function or characteristic.”
[とろける]
- ① A solid softens when heat is applied, approaching a liquid state.
- ② (Figurative) One’s feelings relax, becoming enveloped in a sense of comfort or happiness.
- A word used to subjectively depict food or emotions. It vividly conveys the way deliciousness slowly spreads in the mouth, as well as a soft texture or appealing appearance.
Similer Articles
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