Entry
ふさふさ
fusafusa
This word describes hair or animal fur that is thick, abundant, bushy, and soft to the touch.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
An onomatopoeic word that refers to the state of soft fibers, primarily human hair or animal fur, growing thickly and abundantly. It implies a healthy volume and a soft texture, often carrying a positive nuance unlike words that describe unruly or tangled hair.
- Thick, voluminous human hair
- Bushy and soft animal fur
Sense Map
Human Hair
Describes hair on the head that grows thickly and looks voluminous and healthy.
髪がふさふだ
Animal Fur
Describes the fur or tail of an animal that is long, bushy, and pleasant to stroke.
ふさふさのしっぽ
Usage Note
How to Use
ふさふさの + Noun
Used as an adjective to modify a following noun, such as hair (毛) or tail (しっぽ).
ふさふさしている
Describes the ongoing state of hair or fur being currently thick and voluminous.
ふさふさだ
ふさふさになる
How to Use
Common Phrases
髪がふさふさしている
to have thick hair
ふさふさのしっぽ
a bushy tail
ふさふさの毛
thick fur/hair
髪の毛がふさふさだ
hair is luxuriant
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Someone's Hair | Positive | Considered a compliment because it indicates a healthy, full head of hair, free from thinning. |
| Pets | Positive | Highlights that an animal (like a cat or dog) has an attractive, bushy, and soft coat that is pleasant to pet. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
もじゃもじゃ もじゃもじゃ / contrast | Used when hair or fur is thick but messy, curly in an unruly way, or unkempt. | Unlike ふさふさ which implies neatness, softness, and health, もじゃもじゃ suggests a tangled, messy, or untidy state. | もじゃもじゃの髪 |
もさもさ もさもさ / similar | Used when hair grows too thick to the point of looking heavy, dull, or slightly unkempt. | ふさふさ has a light, soft, and healthy nuance, whereas もさもさ emphasizes an overgrown, bothersome, or stiff thickness. | 髪がもさもさしている |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ふさふさ to describe a thick book, a thick sweater, or a dense forest.
Use 分厚い (buatsui) for solid objects like books. ふさふさ is exclusively for soft, flowing strands like hair and fur.
Thinking ふさふさ means messy or tangled hair.
Messy, tangled hair is もじゃもじゃ. ふさふさ implies the hair is thick, soft, and in good condition.
Examples
Examples
おじいちゃんは年をとっても髪がふさふさだ。
おじいちゃんはとしをとってもかみがふさふさだ。
Grandpa still has a thick head of hair even as he gets older.
LiteralShows hair that is still thick and healthy in old age.
その猫はふさふさのしっぽを揺らした。
そのねこはふさふさのしっぽをゆらした。
The cat swayed its bushy tail.
VisualDescribes an animal's tail that is heavily furred and voluminous.
赤ちゃんの頭に柔らかい毛がふさふさ生えている。
あかちゃんのあたまにやわらかいけがふさふさはえている。
Soft hair is growing thickly on the baby's head.
LiteralEmphasizes the softness and abundance of fine new hair.
犬のふさふさした毛をなでるのが好きです。
いぬのふさふさしたけをなでるのがすきです。
I like petting the dog's thick, soft fur.
LiteralFocuses on the soft, dense texture of fur that feels pleasant to touch.
昔は髪の毛がふさふさだったのに。
むかしはかみのけがふさふさだったのに。
Even though my hair used to be so thick and full.
LiteralOften used when reminiscing about hair condition before thinning out.
Similar Words
もさもさ
mosamosa
Describes something growing thickly and unkemptly like hair or vegetation, or a person who moves sluggishly and lacks sharpness. Overgrown hair that looks heavy and slightly unkempt.
もじゃもじゃ
mojamoja
Describes hair, fur, or a beard that is thick, tangled, and unkempt. Thick hair or fur that is tangled, messy, or unkempt.
Questions
Can I use ふさふさ for a dense forest?
No. For a dense forest or foliage, you should use うっそう (ussou) or 茂っている (shigette iru).
Is it a compliment to tell someone their hair is ふさふさ?
Yes, it is generally a compliment, meaning they have a healthy, full, and voluminous head of hair.
What is the difference between ふさふさ (fusafusa) and もじゃもじゃ (mojamoja)?
ふさふさ implies thick, soft, and attractive hair/fur, while もじゃもじゃ means thick but messy, tangled, or unkempt.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1710400
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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