Japanese word

縮れる

Pronunciation

Romajichijireru

Meaning

  • verbbecome curly

Example

雨の日は髪が縮れます。ame no hi wa kami ga chiji re ma su

My hair becomes curly on rainy days.

Illustration for 縮れる (become curly)

More examples

羊毛は熱湯に入れると縮れます。yō mō wa net tō ni i re ru to chiji re ma su

Wool becomes curly when it is put in boiling water.

Core concept

Describes hair, fibers, or other flexible material changing from a smooth or straight form into a curled shape.

Common phrases

  • 縮れた髪chiji re ta kami

    curly hair

  • 湿気で縮れるshik ke de chiji re ru

    become curly from humidity

  • 熱で縮れるnetsu de chiji re ru

    become curly from heat

Similar words

カールするkārusuru: To take on rounded curls through styling, heat, or a natural change in form.
うねるuneru: To develop long, flowing curves in hair, fibers, or another flexible material.

Definition in Japanese

髪や糸などが、まっすぐな状態から細かく曲がった形になる。kami ya ito na do ga ma ssu gu na jō tai ka ra koma ka ku ma ga tta katachi ni na ru

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 縮れる (chijireru, "to become curled or crinkled") derives from 縮る (chijiru, "to shrink or wrinkle") with a form expressing a resulting state.

Usage tips

  • English distinguishes curly hair with formed curls from frizzy hair with many small, irregular curls, while Japanese uses this verb for hair becoming either kind of curled.

Other meanings

  • become frizzyverb
  • become wavyverb

Related words

  • 縮れchijirecurlnoun

Word lists with this word