Japanese word

荒い

Pronunciation

Romajiarai

Meaning

  • i-adjectiverough

Example

海が荒いです。umi ga ara i de su

The sea is rough.

Illustration for 荒い (rough)

More examples

船長は荒い海でも、慎重に進みます。sen chō wa ara i umi de mo shin chō ni susu mi ma su

The captain carefully navigates even in rough seas.

Core concept

Describes something that is unsettled, forceful, or lacking gentleness, from rough seas to fierce behavior.

Common phrases

  • 気性が荒いki shō ga ara i

    have a fierce temper

  • 荒い口調ara i ku chō

    harsh tone

  • 荒い息ara i iki

    labored breathing

Similar words

荒々しいaraarashii: Describes behavior or conditions that show strong wildness and force.
激しいhageshii: Describes movement, weather, or emotions that reach a high degree of force or intensity.
荒っぽいarappoi: Describes behavior, speech, or handling that lacks gentleness and care.

Definition in Japanese

物事の状態や動きが激しく、穏やかでないさま。mono goto no jō tai ya ugo ki ga hage shi ku oda ya ka de na i sa ma

Word origin

荒い (arai) is a native Japanese adjective formed from 荒 (ara, "wild") and the adjective ending い (i).

Usage tips

  • 荒い (arai) and 粗い (arai) sound alike, but 荒い describes wildness or harshness, while 粗い describes large grains or a coarse texture.

Other meanings

  • fiercei-adjective
  • harshi-adjective
  • wildi-adjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word