Japanese word

塊

Pronunciation

Romajikatamari

Meaning

  • nounlump

Example

砂糖の塊が残っています。sa tō no katamari ga noko tte i ma su

A lump of sugar remains.

Illustration for 塊 (lump)

More examples

熱い鍋の中でチョコレートが塊になっています。atsu i nabe no naka de cho ko rē to ga katamari ni na tte i ma su

The chocolate has formed a lump in the hot pan.

Core concept

Refers to separate parts or material gathered into a single solid or compact body.

Common phrases

  • 塊になるkatamari ni na ru

    become a lump

  • 塊を崩すkatamari o kuzu su

    break up a lump

Definition in Japanese

いくつかの物や物質が集まり固まってできた、ひとつのまとまり。i ku tsu ka no mono ya bus shitsu ga atsu ma ri kata ma tte de ki ta hi to tsu no ma to ma ri

Word origin

塊 (katamari, "lump") is a native Japanese noun formed from 固まる (katamaru, "to become solid") by using its continuative form 固まり (katamari, "a solidified thing") as a noun.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 塊 (katamari) can describe both a small compact piece and a larger mass, so its size depends on the surrounding context.

Other meanings

  • clumpnoun
  • massnoun

Word lists with this word