Japanese word

凸凹

Pronunciation

Romajidekoboko

Meaning

  • nounbumpiness

Example

この道は凸凹が多いです。ko no michi wa deko boko ga ō i de su

This road has many bumps.

Illustration for 凸凹 (bumpiness)

More examples

この道は凸凹が多くて歩きにくいです。ko no michi wa deko boko ga ō ku te aru ki ni ku i de su

This path is very bumpy and hard to walk on.

壁の凸凹を手で確かめます。kabe no deko boko o te de tashi ka me ma su

I check the bumps on the wall with my hand.

Core concept

Presents something as having noticeable highs and lows instead of a uniformly flat or even form.

Common phrases

  • 凸凹が激しいdeko boko ga hage shi i

    be very bumpy

  • 凸凹を直すdeko boko o nao su

    fix the bumps

  • 道の凸凹michi no deko boko

    road bumps

Similar words

起伏kifuku: A series of rises and dips in land or on a surface.
段差dansa: A step or change in level between two adjoining surfaces.
高低差kōteisa: The difference in height between a high point and a low point.

Definition in Japanese

表面に出っ張りやくぼみが多く、平らでないこと。hyō men ni de ppa ri ya ku bo mi ga ō ku tai ra de na i ko to

Word origin

凸凹 (dekoboko) is formed from 凸 (deko, "convex") and 凹 (boko, "concave"), whose paired shapes directly suggest repeated rises and depressions.

Usage tips

  • A road described as 凸凹 (dekoboko) may require slower travel, so the word commonly appears in practical descriptions of road conditions.

Other meanings

  • unevennessnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 凸凹するdekobokosurube bumpyverb

Word lists with this word