Japanese for Kids · Level 8
90 words
Japanese word
ざらざら
Pronunciation
Romajizarazara
Meaning
- na-adjectiverough
Example
この紙はざらざらです。ko no kami wa za ra za ra de su
This paper is rough.
More examples
この木の表面はざらざらしていて、触ると小さなでこぼこを感じます。ko no ki no hyō men wa za ra za ra shi te i te sawa ru to chii sa na de ko bo ko o kan ji ma su
The surface of this tree is rough, and you can feel tiny bumps when you touch it.
Core concept
ざらざら (zarazara) refers to the uneven texture created by many small grains or bumps on a surface.
Common phrases
ざらざらした紙za ra za ra shi ta kami
rough paper
ざらざらした手触りza ra za ra shi ta te zawa ri
a rough texture
ざらざらする表面za ra za ra su ru hyō men
a rough surface
Similar words
でこぼこdekoboko: A surface has an uneven shape with raised and lowered parts.
ごつごつgotsugotsu: Something has a hard, rough surface with large irregular bumps.
ごわごわgowagowa: Cloth or paper feels stiff and rough rather than soft.
Definition in Japanese
細かな凹凸が多く、触れるとなめらかでないさま。koma ka na ō totsu ga ō ku fu re ru to na me ra ka de na i sa ma
Word origin
ざらざら (zarazara) has the reduplicated form common in Japanese mimetic words and represents a coarse surface sensation.
Usage tips
- A child can use ざらざら (zarazara) for a wall, stone, or piece of paper that feels rough to the touch.
Other meanings
- coarsena-adjective
- grittyna-adjective
Opposites
- すべすべsubesubesmoothna-adjective
- なめらかnamerakasmoothna-adjective
Related words
- ざらざら感zarazarakanrough texturenoun