Entry
からっと
karatto
"Karatto" is an adverb describing weather or air that is refreshingly dry, food that is pleasantly cooked, or an attitude that is frank and clear.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
"Karatto" is an onomatopoeia (gitaigo) primarily used to describe the state of good weather with a clear sky (e.g., the sky is karatto clear), laundry or air being well-dried (e.g., the air is karatto dry), food, especially fried items, being pleasantly cooked with a satisfying texture (e.g., fish is fried karatto), and also a person's straightforward and open attitude (e.g., a karatto personality).
- Weather/sky conditions
- Dry state
- Food texture
- Personality/attitude
Sense Map
Weather/Sky
State of being bright and clear.
The sky is karatto clear.
Dryness
State of being not damp, refreshing.
The cloth dries karatto.
Food
State of fried food etc. being cooked with a pleasant texture.
Fry chicken karatto.
Personality/Attitude
State of being open and straightforward with no hidden motives.
A karatto personality.
Usage Note
How to Use
karatto suru
Indicates that weather or air becomes "karatto."
karatto shita + noun
Connects the "karatto" state as a modifier to a noun.
karatto + verb
Indicates that an action is performed in a "karatto" manner.
How to Use
Common Phrases
からっと晴れる
The sky is bright and clear.
からっと乾く
Dries quickly, without dampness.
からっと揚げる
To fry food to a pleasant texture.
からっとした性格
A straightforward and clear personality.
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | Positive | Indicates pleasant, clear, and dry conditions. |
| Food | Positive | Describes a satisfying crispness, especially for fried items. |
| Personality/Manner | Positive | Implies sincerity, directness, and a lack of pretense. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
しっとり しっとり / contrast | Describes moisture or dewiness. | Opposite of dryness. | Her hair is shittori moisturized. |
こってり こってり / contrast | Rich, heavy (food). | Opposite of light/crispy. | A rich, kotteri-style ramen. |
さっぱり さっぱり / nearby | Light taste, refreshing feeling. | Less crisp than karatto, more about a clean, light sensation. | A sappari-tasting salad. |
すっきり すっきり / nearby | Refreshing, clear mood/appearance. | More about clarity and relief than dryness/crispness. | I felt sukkiri after a shower. |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Can "karatto" be used the same way as "kantan" (easy)?
"Karatto" primarily describes states of weather, texture, or attitude and differs in meaning from "kantan," which refers to simplicity or lack of complexity.
Is any food good if fried "karatto"?
"Karatto" refers to the pleasant texture of the coating; burnt or excessively hard food is not "karatto." It describes the delicious crispness of fried food.
Examples
Examples
今日は空がからっと晴れて気持ちがいい。
きょうはそらがからっとはれてきもちがいい。
Today the sky is karatto clear and it feels good.
VisualClear weather, bright sky.
洗濯物がよく乾いて、空気がからっとした。
せんたくものがよくかわいて、くうきがからっとした。
The laundry dried well, and the air became karatto.
VisualDry air, not humid.
この唐揚げは衣がからっと揚がっていて美味しい。
このからあげはいころもがからっとあがっていておいしい。
This fried chicken has a karatto crispy coating and is delicious.
VisualCrispy texture of fried food.
彼の性格はからっとしていて、誰とでもすぐに打ち解けられる。
かれのせいかくはからっとしていて、だれとでもすぐにうちとけられる。
His personality is karatto, so he can easily get along with anyone.
FigurativeFrank and friendly demeanor.
からっとした良い天気なので、散歩に出かけよう。
からっとしたいいてんきなので、さんぽにでかけよう。
Because the weather is karatto nice, let's go for a walk.
VisualBright and dry weather.
Similar Words
カッと
katto
Expresses a sudden, high-intensity flare-up of emotion, light, heat, or a sharp physical movement like widening one's eyes.
パッチリ
pacchiri
Describes eyes that are large, bright, and wide open, or being fully awake without drowsiness.
ピカッと
pikatto
A sudden, intensely bright, and very brief flash of light.
パリッと
paritto
This word describes a crisp texture, a sharp cracking or tearing sound, or a stylish and dapper appearance.
こってり
kotteri
Describes a rich, heavy, or thick consistency, as well as an intense action like a severe scolding. Opposite of 'karatto' for rich and heavy food.
Questions
In what situations is "karatto" used?
"Karatto" is mainly used to describe the state of weather being clear and dry, food being pleasantly cooked, or a person's attitude being frank.
What is the difference between "karatto" and "sappari"?
While "karatto" refers to a dry state without dampness or a pleasant texture, "sappari" often refers to a light taste, a refreshing feeling, or a clean mood.
Does "karatto" have a positive meaning?
Yes, "karatto" is generally used with positive nuances such as refreshingness, pleasantness, and sincerity.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1003020
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- カツカツ (katsukatsu)
- Next entry
- ガーッと (gaatto)