Japanese word

滑らか

Pronunciation

Romajinameraka

Meaning

  • na-adjectivesmooth

Example

この石の表面は滑らかです。ko no ishi no hyō men wa name ra ka de su

The surface of this stone is smooth.

Illustration for 滑らか (smooth)

More examples

彼の歌声はとても滑らかです。kare no uta goe wa to te mo name ra ka de su

His singing voice is very smooth.

Core concept

Refers to a surface, motion, or process that proceeds evenly without catching, jolting, or roughness.

Common phrases

  • 滑らかな動きname ra ka na ugo ki

    smooth movement

  • 滑らかな流れname ra ka na naga re

    smooth flow

  • 滑らかな発音name ra ka na hatsu on

    smooth pronunciation

  • 滑らかな仕上がりname ra ka na shi a ga ri

    smooth finish

Similar words

すべすべsubesube: A surface feels smooth and soft, with little roughness to the touch.
円滑enkatsu: A process or interaction proceeds without trouble, delay, or interruption.
流暢ryūchō: Speech or writing flows clearly and continuously without awkward pauses.

Definition in Japanese

物の表面が平らで、触れたり動かしたりするときの抵抗や引っかかりが少ないさま。mono no hyō men ga tai ra de fu re ta ri ugo ka shi ta ri su ru to ki no tei kō ya hi kka ka ri ga suku na i sa ma

Word origin

滑らか (nameraka) is a native Japanese formation from 滑る (suberu, "to slide") and らか (raka, "expressing a state or quality").

Usage tips

  • The Japanese adjective 滑らか (nameraka) can describe speech or progress as well as physical texture, while English may use fluent or smooth depending on the context.

Other meanings

  • evenna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 滑らかさnamerakasasmoothnessnoun

Word lists with this word