冴える

冱える

Reading

Kana: さえる

Romaji: saeru

Definitions

v1

vi

1

to be clear (of a sight, sound, colour, etc.); to be bright; to be vivid; to be crisp

2

to be clear-headed; to be alert; to be on the ball; to be wide awake

3

to look upbeat; to be perky; to be cheerful

Note: often as 冴えない

4

to master (a skill); to excel at; to cleanly execute

5

to be satisfying

Note: often as 冴えない

See also: 冴えない

6

to become frigid; to become intensely cold

Note: original meaning; now somewhat old-fashioned

Kanji

冴

Readings: ゴ、 コ、 さ.える、 こお.る、 ひ.える

Meanings: be clear, serene, cold, skilful

冱

Readings: ゴ、 コ、 さ.える、 こお.る、 ひ.える

Meanings: freeze, be cold, be clear, attain skill

Example Sentences

今日(きょう)は頭(あたま)がさえません。

➥My brain doesn't seem to be working well today.

満月(まんげつ)が空(そら)にさえている。

➥A full moon is shining bright in the sky.

話(はなし)が進(すす)むにつれ彼(かれ)の弁舌(べんぜつ)はますますさえた。

➥His speech had more and more power as it went along.

彼女(かのじょ)は頭(あたま)のさえた人(ひと)だ。

➥She is a clear-headed.

コーヒーを一杯(いっぱい)飲(の)むと頭(あたま)が冴(さ)える。

➥I feel more alert after drinking a cup of coffee.

そのパフォーマンスは冴(さ)えないものでしたよ。

➥The performance was low-keyed.