Entry
あっさり
assari
Describes something that is light in flavor, simple in appearance, or happens quickly and easily without resistance.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Assari is a versatile word used for food that isn't greasy or heavy, personalities that are refreshingly honest and don't dwell on the past, or events that conclude with unexpected ease. It conveys a sense of simplicity and lack of lingering weight.
- Food flavor that is light and non-greasy.
- A personality that is straightforward and doesn't hold grudges.
- An action or result that happens easily and without much effort.
Sense Map
Food and Taste
Describes food that is light, mild, and not oily or heavily seasoned.
あっさりした味付け
Appearance and Design
Describes a look, makeup, or design that is simple, clean, and minimalist.
あっさりしたメイク
Personality and Attitude
Describes a person who is frank, open, and doesn't cling to negative emotions or past conflicts.
性格があっさりしている
Action and Outcome
Describes something happening or being done very quickly, easily, or without any fuss.
あっさりと解決する
Usage Note
How to Use
あっさりした + noun
Used to describe a noun, such as flavor, personality, or makeup.
あっさりと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an action is performed, like refusing or winning.
あっさりする
A verb form indicating that something has a simple or light quality.
あっさりしている
Describes the ongoing state or inherent quality of a person or thing.
How to Use
Common Phrases
あっさりした味
light flavor
あっさりしたスープ
light soup
あっさりした性格
frank personality
あっさりと断る
to flatly refuse
あっさり負ける
to lose easily
あっさり終わる
to end quickly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Food | Positive | Indicates a healthy, light, and pleasant taste. |
| Makeup/Design | Positive/Neutral | Refers to a clean, minimalist, and non-distracting appearance. |
| Personality | Positive | Indicates a person who is easy to get along with, frank, and not clingy. |
| Refusal | Neutral/Negative | Shows a blunt or very quick dismissal. |
| Defeat | Negative | Suggests a lack of persistence or fighting spirit. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
こってり こってり / opposite | For very rich, heavy, or greasy flavors. | Assari is specifically about being light and simple. | こってりしたラーメン (Rich/heavy ramen) |
さっぱり さっぱり / similar | When something feels refreshing or when something is completely gone. | Sappari focuses more on the feeling of being refreshed after removing something heavy. | シャワーを浴びてさっぱりする (Feel refreshed after a shower) |
すっきり すっきり / similar | When your mind feels clear or a space looks neat and tidy. | Sukkiri emphasizes the removal of obstruction or mental fog. | 頭がすっきりした (My head feels clear) |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Confusing assari with 'simple' (kantan) for tasks.
Use assari for flavor or personality. Use kantan for tasks that are not complex to perform.
Using assari when you mean 'tasteless' (usui).
Usui often implies a negative lack of seasoning, while assari is a positive, intentional light flavor.
Thinking 'assari kotowaru' is always rude.
It is brief and direct, but if the wording is polite, the attitude itself is seen as decisive rather than rude.
Replacing 'kantan ni' with 'assari' for every easy situation.
Assari is best for situations that conclude without the expected struggle or resistance.
Examples
Examples
このスープはあっさりしていて、いくらでも飲める。
このすーぷはあっさりしていて、いくらでものめる。
This soup has a light flavor, so I could drink any amount of it.
LiteralRefers to a food flavor that is not oily.
田中さんはあっさりした性格で、付き合いやすい。
たなかさんはあっさりしたせいかくで、つきあいやすい。
Mr. Tanaka has a frank personality, making him easy to get along with.
FigurativeDescribes a person who is straightforward.
彼は私の誘いをあっさりと断った。
かれはわたしのさそいをあっさりとことわった。
He flatly refused my invitation.
LiteralShows a very quick act of refusal.
強いと思っていたチームが、あっさり負けてしまった。
つよいとおもっていたちーむが、あっさりまけてしまった。
The team I thought was strong lost surprisingly easily.
LiteralUsed for a defeat that happened without much resistance.
彼女は今日はあっさりしたメイクをしている。
かのじょはきょうはあっさりしためいくをしている。
She is wearing simple makeup today.
VisualRefers to thin and subtle makeup.
Similar Words
きっぱり
kippari
Doing something in a clean, firm, and unambiguous way without hesitation.
すっきり
sukkiri
Feeling refreshed, relieved, or appearing neat and clean without any lingering clutter.
さっくり
sakkuri
さっくり describes a light, crisp food texture or performing an action quickly and efficiently without unnecessary complication.
こってり
kotteri
Describes a rich, heavy, or thick consistency, as well as an intense action like a severe scolding. Antonym for heavy and greasy food flavors.
さっぱり
sappari
Describes a clean and unburdened state, such as feeling refreshed, having a light taste, or completely lacking something when used with a negative verb. Similar in terms of freshness, but more about the feeling of relief.
Questions
Is assari kotowaru rude?
It can be seen as blunt because it's so direct, but it's not inherently rude. It just means the refusal was clear and quick.
Can I use assari for clothes?
Yes, to describe a very simple, plain, or minimalist design.
How does it differ from sappari?
Assari is about the quality of being light/simple; sappari is about the feeling of being refreshed.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1000360
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Next entry
- あべこべ (abekobe)