Entry
がさがさ
gasagasa
Describes a harsh rustling sound or a dry, rough texture that feels unpleasantly coarse to the touch.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Gasagasa refers to the loud rustling of stiff materials like thick plastic bags or dried bushes. It also describes skin that is severely chapped or a person whose manners are unrefined and crude.
- Harsh rustling sound of stiff or dry objects.
- Very dry, rough skin or surface texture.
- Unrefined or crude personality and behavior.
Sense Map
Rustling Sound
The loud and dry sound of objects like thick paper or plastic rubbing together.
The rustling sound of a stiff plastic bag.
Skin Texture
A state where skin or a surface is devoid of moisture and feels rough or flaky.
Hands becoming rough due to extreme dryness.
Personality
Describing someone who lacks refinement or acts in a crude, unpolished manner.
A person with a coarse and blunt attitude.
Usage Note
How to Use
がさがさする
Used as a verb to describe the current state of a surface or a sound being made.
がさがさの + noun
Used as an adjective to describe a noun that has a rough or dry quality.
がさがさと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an action creates a rustling sound.
How to Use
Common Phrases
手ががさがさになる
hands become rough and dry
がさがさと音がする
to make a loud rustling sound
がさがさした袋
a rustling, stiff bag
性格ががさがさしている
to have a rough personality
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Skincare | negative | Indicates skin in poor condition needing care. |
| Materials | neutral | Describes the physical property of stiff, noisy materials. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
かさかさ かさかさ / similar | Use for light rustling or mildly dry skin. | Gasagasa is much louder and indicates more severe dryness. | Paper rustling softly is kasakasa. |
ざらざら ざらざら / similar | Use for surfaces that feel like they have sand or small grains on them. | Gasagasa is about dryness and lack of smoothness, not grit. | A sandy beach feels zarazara. |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using gasagasa for soft silk rustling or light paper.
Silk is too soft and smooth for this word. Gasagasa implies a much harsher material, like thick plastic or heavy cardboard, and a louder sound.
Thinking it only applies to physical skin conditions.
While common for dry skin, remember it is frequently used as a sound onomatopoeia for objects or to describe an unrefined personality.
Examples
Examples
冬は空気が乾燥しているので、手ががさがさになってしまった。
ふゆはくうきがかんそうしているので、てががさがさになってしまった。
Because the air is dry in winter, my hands have become rough and dry.
VisualDescribes the condition of dry skin.
カバンの中をがさがさと探して、鍵を見つけた。
かばんのなかをがさがさとさがして、かぎをみつけた。
I searched through my bag with a rustling sound and found the key.
LiteralDescribes the sound of objects in the bag rubbing together.
彼はがさがさした性格だが、根は良い人だ。
かれはがさがさしたせいかくだが、ねはよいひとだ。
He has a coarse personality, but he is a good person at heart.
FigurativeDescribes someone's unrefined personality.
厚手のビニール袋をがさがさと鳴らすのはやめてください。
あつでのびにーるぶくろをがさがさとならすのはやめてください。
Please stop making a loud rustling sound with that thick plastic bag.
LiteralDescribes the sound of stiff plastic.
かかとががさがさで、ストッキングが伝線してしまった。
かかとががさがさで、すとっきんぐがでんせんしてしまった。
My heels were so rough that they caused a run in my stockings.
VisualDescribes the texture of very dry skin on the heels.
Similar Words
ザラザラ
zarazara
Describes a surface that feels rough to the touch, is covered in gritty particles like sand, or a voice that sounds raspy. Rough due to grains or sand.
がさごそ
gasagoso
A dry rustling sound made when objects like paper, leaves, or cloth rub together, especially when rummaging through a bag or bushes.
ばさばさ
basabasa
An onomatopoeia describing the sound of large objects flapping or a dry, coarse, and untidy state, especially of hair.
かさかさ
kasakasa
かさかさ (kasakasa) is a Japanese onomatopoeia used to describe the light rustling sound of dry objects like leaves or paper, as well as the physical state of being dry and rough, such as dry skin. Lighter, voiceless counterpart for subtle rustling or dryness.
Questions
Can gasagasa describe a messy room?
No, it specifically describes texture, sound, or personality. For a messy room, use 'chirakatteiru'.
Is gasagasa rude when describing a person?
Yes, it implies they are unrefined or lack manners, so it is usually not a compliment.
Does it have to be a 'bad' sound?
Not necessarily, but it is a noisy, non-musical sound, like searching through a bag.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1003090
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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