Entry
ジョリジョリ
jorijori
ジョリジョリ describes the harsh, scraping sound or the scratchy sensation of rubbing against a rough surface, typically like shaving a beard or touching sandpaper.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This onomatopoeia captures the specific sound of something relatively sharp grating against tiny, stiff particles (like a razor cutting stubble) or the physical sensation of such a texture. It is highly associated with shaving thick facial hair and the gritty feeling of sand or rough materials.
- The sound of a rough, stiff scraping (e.g., shaving).
- The tactile sensation of a scratchy, bristly, or sandy surface.
Sense Map
Scraping Sound
Represents the distinctive grating sound produced when a blade or flat object scrapes against short, stiff bristles or gritty surfaces.
ヒゲをジョリジョリと剃る。
Scratchy Texture
Represents the physical feeling of touching a surface that is coarse, prickly, or covered in tiny hard bumps.
ジョリジョリとした手触り。
Usage Note
How to Use
ジョリジョリと + verb (剃る, 踏む)
Acts as an adverb modifying an action, indicating that the action (like shaving or stepping) is accompanied by a rough scraping noise.
ジョリジョリする
Forms a verb meaning that a surface currently feels scratchy, sandy, or covered in stubble.
ジョリジョリしている
ジョリジョリとした + noun
Acts as a modifier for a noun, describing an object that inherently possesses a rough, sandpaper-like texture.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ヒゲをジョリジョリ剃る
shave a beard with a scraping sound
ジョリジョリとした手触り
a scratchy/rough texture
砂がジョリジョリする
sand feels gritty
ジョリジョリと音を立てる
make a rough scraping noise
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Facial hair | neutral | Extremely common for describing both the act of shaving stubble and the feeling of a grown-in beard. |
| Rough materials | neutral | Describes textures like sandpaper, gritty dirt on the floor, or a cat's tongue. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ごりごり ごりごり / similar | Used for a more forceful, deep, and heavy grinding or scraping. | ジョリジョリ is light and surface-level (like stubble or sand), whereas ゴリゴリ implies brute force, heavy friction, or deep grinding (like grinding coffee beans or a stiff massage). | ゴリゴリと削る |
がりがり がりがり / similar | Used for a sharp scratching sound or the crunching of something hard. | がりがり is a distinct scratch (like fingernails on a board) or crunch (chewing ice), while ジョリジョリ is the dense, collective friction of many tiny stiff particles. | 氷をがりがり食べる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe the smooth feeling after shaving.
ジョリジョリ describes the rough process or the stubble itself. A smooth, freshly shaven face is described as ツルツル (tsuru-tsuru).
Using it to describe scratching an itchy mosquito bite.
For scratching an itch, use ポリポリ (pori-pori) or ボリボリ (bori-bori).
Examples
Examples
伸びたヒゲをジョリジョリと剃る。
のびたヒゲをジョリジョリとそる。
Shaving a grown beard with a rough scraping sound.
LiteralThis is the most classic and common usage of jori-jori.
猫の舌はジョリジョリしている。
ねこのしたはジョリジョリしている。
A cat's tongue feels rough and scratchy.
LiteralDescribes the physical texture of the small barbs on a cat's tongue.
バリカンでジョリジョリと髪を刈る。
バリカンでジョリジョリとかみをかる。
Buzzing hair with clippers making a scraping sound.
LiteralThe sound of hair clippers cutting closely against stiff hair.
靴の裏で砂をジョリジョリと踏む。
くつのうらですなをジョリジョリとふむ。
Stepping on sand with the soles of shoes, making a gritty sound.
LiteralFocuses on the harsh friction between the fine sand particles and the shoes.
壁のざらざらした部分がジョリジョリする。
かべのざらざらしたぶぶんがジョリジョリする。
The rough part of the wall feels scratchy.
LiteralIndicates an uneven texture that is almost like sandpaper.
Similar Words
ゴリゴリ
gorigori
Gorigori describes a scraping sound, a very hard texture, severe muscle stiffness, or an uncompromising, hardcore attitude. For heavier, deeper, and more forceful grinding or scraping.
がりがり
garigari
This word describes a loud crunching or scratching sound, a very hard texture, or an unhealthily thin, bony body. For the sound of crunching something hard or sharp scratching.
Questions
Can I use this word for chewing food?
Rarely. If food has unexpected sand or grit in it, people usually use ジャリジャリ (jari-jari). ジョリジョリ is more about shaving or external textures.
Is a cat's tongue considered jori-jori?
Yes, because of its scratchy, sandpaper-like texture, a cat's tongue is often described as feeling ジョリジョリ.
Does this imply something is broken?
No, it just describes a physical property. A beard or sandpaper is naturally ジョリジョリ, so it does not imply damage unless you are describing two metal gears grinding by mistake.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2805430
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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