Japanese word

つるつる

Pronunciation

Romajitsurutsuru

Meaning

  • na-adjectivesmooth

Example

この石はつるつるです。ko no ishi wa tsu ru tsu ru de su

This stone is smooth.

Illustration for つるつる (smooth)

More examples

ワックスをかけると、床がつるつるになります。wa kku su o ka ke ru to yuka ga tsu ru tsu ru ni na ri ma su

When wax is applied, the floor becomes smooth.

Core concept

It presents a surface as evenly smooth, with little roughness to the touch.

Common phrases

  • つるつるの床tsu ru tsu ru no yuka

    smooth floor

  • つるつるにするtsu ru tsu ru ni su ru

    make smooth

Similar words

すべすべsubesube: A surface feels smooth and soft, especially when touched.
なめらかnameraka: A surface is smooth and even, without bumps or rough spots.

Definition in Japanese

表面に凹凸がなく、なめらかで滑りやすいさま。hyō men ni ō totsu ga na ku na me ra ka de sube ri ya su i sa ma

Word origin

つるつる (tsurutsuru, "smooth") is a Japanese mimetic reduplication that expresses a smooth, even surface.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, つるつる (tsurutsuru) can also describe skin or a shaved head when no hair or roughness is visible.

Other meanings

  • slickna-adjective
  • shinyna-adjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word