Entry
かぴかぴ
kapikapi
Describes something that was originally moist but has completely dried out, becoming stiff or crusty on the surface.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word illustrates the loss of moisture from something inherently wet or soft, such as leftover rice, skin, or mud. The object becomes visibly dry, loses its elasticity, and often feels hard, crusty, or stiff to the touch.
- Wet objects drying and hardening (rice, glue, mud)
- Body surfaces losing moisture (skin, lips)
- Soft objects turning rigid from lack of liquid (contact lenses)
Sense Map
Hardened Food & Substances
Used for leftover food (like rice) or thick liquids (like glue or mud) left exposed to the air until their moisture evaporates, leaving a hard crust.
ご飯がカピカピになる
Skin & Body Surfaces
Describes skin or lips that are severely dry due to cold weather or lack of care, feeling stiff and crusty.
唇がカピカピだ
Lenses & Clear Objects
Often used specifically for contact lenses that have been left out of their solution, drying up into brittle, hard flakes.
コンタクトがカピカピに乾く
Usage Note
How to Use
カピカピになる
The most common pattern to state that something has become dry and crusty.
カピカピに + verb (e.g., 乾く, 固まる)
Used with verbs like 乾く (to dry) or 固まる (to harden) to describe the resulting state of the action.
カピカピの + noun
Modifies a noun, meaning 'a crusty/dried out [noun]'.
カピカピだ
How to Use
Common Phrases
ご飯がカピカピになる
rice becomes dry and hard
カピカピに乾く
to dry out until stiff
カピカピの肌
severely dry, crusty skin
カピカピに固まる
to harden from drying out
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Leftover food (rice, pasta) | Negative | Indicates the food is no longer palatable because it was left uncovered. |
| Skin and lips | Negative | Describes an uncomfortable physical state requiring moisturizer. |
| Mud or chemical liquids (glue) | Neutral | Merely describes the physical state change into a hardened solid. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
からから からから / similar | Used for environments, weather, a parched throat, or things completely devoid of moisture. | Does not focus on the crusty or stiff surface texture that kapikapi emphasizes. | 喉がからからだ |
ぱさぱさ ぱさぱさ / similar | Used for food (like bread or chicken breast) or hair that is dry, lacking moisture/oil, and crumbly. | Pasapasa feels crumbly or dry inside, while kapikapi feels hard and crusty on the outside. | パサパサのパン |
かすかす かすかす / similar | Used when the inside of something (like an orange or a marker) has dried up and the contents are depleted. | Kasukasu means depleted or empty inside, whereas kapikapi means the surface has hardened. | カスカスのミカン |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using kapikapi for dry weather (e.g., today's weather is kapikapi).
Use karakara for dry weather. Kapikapi is strictly for physical objects whose surfaces have hardened from moisture loss.
Using kapikapi for naturally dry hair.
Use pasapasa for dry hair lacking oil. Kapikapi would only apply if the hair was covered in gel and dried into a hard crust.
Examples
Examples
ご飯をラップなしで放置したら、カピカピになってしまった。
ごはん を ラップ なし で ほうち したら 、 カピカピ に なって しまった 。
I left the rice without plastic wrap, and it became completely crusty.
VisualShows leftover food losing moisture and hardening.
冬は乾燥して、唇がカピカピだ。
ふゆ は かんそう して 、 くちびる が カピカピ だ 。
The air is dry in winter, making my lips crusty.
LiteralDescribes a physical condition of the body needing care.
外したコンタクトレンズがカピカピに乾いている。
はずした コンタクト レンズ が カピカピ に かわいて いる 。
The removed contact lenses have dried up and become stiff.
VisualClear/soft objects turning brittle as liquid evaporates.
チューブの先のボンドがカピカピに固まっている。
チューブ の さき の ボンド が カピカピ に かたまって いる 。
The glue at the tip of the tube has crusted over and hardened.
VisualA liquid turning into a stiff solid crust.
靴についた泥がカピカピだ。
くつ に ついた どろ が カピカピ だ 。
The mud on the shoes is completely dried out and crusty.
VisualWet mud losing its water and sticking firmly.
Similar Words
パサパサ
pasapasa
Describes the state of lacking moisture or natural oils, resulting in an unpleasantly dry or coarse texture. Focuses on food or things lacking moisture and easily crumbling.
カスカス
kasukasu
Describes something physically dried out and juiceless, or a figurative state of barely managing due to scarce resources like time or money. Focuses on the inside of an object being dried up and depleted.
からから
karakara
Karakara describes a state of being completely dry or entirely empty, a light rattling sound made by hard objects, or a loud and cheerful laugh. Focuses more on the total absence of liquid or moisture.
Questions
Can I use kapikapi for a dry throat?
No, you should use karakara for a parched throat. Kapikapi implies the surface has formed a physical crust.
What is the difference between kapikapi and pasapasa for food?
Kapikapi is used for wet food (like cooked rice) that has dried out and formed a hard crust. Pasapasa is for food that is naturally lacking in moisture and crumbles easily (like stale bread).
Is this a formal word?
No, it is a colloquial word used in daily conversation. Avoid using it in formal writing.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2529520
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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