Entry
かさこそ
kasakoso
A faint, dry, light rustle, like dry leaves rubbing or a small insect crawling.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word imitates a small scrape from something dry. It is used for leaves underfoot or in the wind, paper or plastic rubbed gently, and insects moving out of sight.
- a light scrape from dry things
- tiny animal or insect movement
Sense Map
Leaves and outdoors
Used for dry leaves or grass rustling in the wind or under a light step.
落ち葉がかさこそと音を立てる。
Paper and thin objects
Used when paper or a bag rubs or is touched softly.
ポケットで紙がかさこそ鳴る。
Insects moving
Used for the faint sound of an insect or small animal crawling in hiding.
虫がかさこそ這い回る。
Usage Note
How to Use
かさこそと + verb
Takes と before verbs such as 動く (to move) or 歩く (to walk) to mark that faint rustle.
かさこそ鳴る
A direct pattern for saying something is making that light rustling sound.
かさこそ音を立てる
How to Use
Common Phrases
かさこそと鳴る
to sound with a faint rustle
かさこそと動く
to move with a light rustle
かさこそ音を立てる
to make a small dry scrape
かさこそ這う
to crawl with a light scrape
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Night or a dark room | Unsettling | Can feel creepy because it hints at unseen movement, such as an insect or a mouse. |
| An autumn park | Neutral | Can feel calm or slightly poetic, as when wind stirs dry fallen leaves. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
がさがさ がさがさ / similar | Use when the scrape is rougher, larger, or loud enough to feel noisy. | かさこそ is much fainter and smaller. がさがさ is coarser and easier to notice. | 茂みががさがさ揺れる。 |
かさかさ かさかさ / contrast | Use when the point is dryness itself, such as skin or leaves that have lost moisture. | かさこそ is only the sound of dry things moving. かさかさ also describes a dry condition, such as skin. | 肌がかさかさする。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using かさこそ for heavy footsteps.
Keep かさこそ for very light steps on dry leaves. Heavy steps fit どしどし, or ざくざく on gravel or snow.
Using かさこそ for dry skin.
For a dry state with no moisture, use かさかさ. かさこそ imitates a movement sound, not skin texture.
Examples
Examples
風が吹くたびに、庭の落ち葉がかさこそと音を立てる。
かぜがふくたびに、にわのおちばがかさこそとおとをたてる。
Every time the wind blows, the dry leaves in the garden make a light rustling sound.
LiteralAn example of natural usage, very common for dry leaves.
暗い部屋の隅で、何かがかさこそ這い回る音が聞こえた。
くらいへやのすみで、なにかがかさこそはいまわるおとがきこえた。
In the corner of the dark room, I heard the rustling sound of something crawling around.
VisualDescribes the sound of bugs or small animals, often giving a slightly creepy nuance.
彼女はポケットの中で、手紙をかさこそさせていた。
かのじょはポケットのなかで、てがみをかさこそさせていた。
She was rustling a letter inside her pocket.
LiteralThe scrape of a thin object such as paper in a pocket.
ゴミ箱の奥から、ネズミがかさこそ動く音がする。
ゴミばこのおくから、ネズミがかさこそうごくおとがする。
From deep inside the trash can, there's a rustling sound of a mouse moving.
VisualAn example of a small animal rubbing against dry things or trash.
乾燥した草の上を、静かにかさこそと歩いた。
かんそうしたくさのうえを、しずかにかさこそとあるいた。
I walked quietly over the dry grass, making a rustling sound.
LiteralUsed as an adverb to modify the verb 'to walk'.
Similar Words
がさがさ
gasagasa
Describes a harsh rustling sound or a dry, rough texture that feels unpleasantly coarse to the touch. A rougher, louder rustle than the faint かさこそ.
かさかさ
kasakasa
A dry, rough surface that has lost moisture, or the light rustling sound of thin dry objects rubbing together. Marks a dry state or texture, while かさこそ marks the rustle made when something dry moves.
Questions
Is かさこそ only for natural things like leaves?
No. It is also common for everyday light dry objects, such as paper or plastic bags rubbing together.
How is かさこそ different from かさかさ?
かさかさ marks dryness, such as dry skin or brittle leaves. かさこそ marks the faint rustle when those things move.
Can I use this word for rain?
It does not fit. かさこそ is a dry sound. For rain, use ざあざあ for a downpour, ぽつぽつ for scattered drops, or しとしと for a quiet drizzle.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2413780
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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