Entry
こってり
kotteri
Describes a rich, heavy, or thick consistency, as well as an intense action like a severe scolding.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Primarily describes food with a rich, heavy, or thick flavor and consistency, such as tonkotsu ramen. It can also describe applying something thickly, like makeup, or doing something intensely, such as giving someone a severe scolding.
- rich food
- heavy makeup
- severe scolding
Sense Map
Rich Food
Describes food with a heavy, thick, or rich flavor, often containing a lot of fat or strong seasoning.
こってりしたラーメン
Heavy Application
Describes applying something thickly or heavily, such as makeup or paint.
化粧をこってり塗る
Severe Action
Describes doing something intensely or severely, commonly used with words for scolding.
こってり絞られた
Usage Note
How to Use
こってりした + noun
Used to describe a noun that is rich or heavy, like food.
こってり（と） + verb
Used to describe an action done heavily or severely.
こってりする
Used as a verb to state that something is rich or heavy.
How to Use
Common Phrases
こってりした味
rich flavor
こってりしたラーメン
rich ramen
こってり絞られる
to be severely scolded
こってり塗る
to apply thickly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Food | positive or neutral | Describes rich, fatty, or strongly flavored food. Often highly desired by fans of rich dishes. |
| Makeup | negative | Implies the makeup is applied too thickly and looks unnatural. |
| Scolding | negative | Describes a severe, thorough reprimand where the person being scolded cannot escape. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
あっさり あっさり / opposite | Use to describe a light, plain, or simple flavor or appearance. | あっさり is the direct opposite of こってり when talking about food or personality. | あっさりしたスープ |
さっぱり さっぱり / opposite | Use to describe a refreshing or clean feeling, often after removing something heavy or dirty. | Focuses on the refreshing aftertaste or feeling, whereas こってり focuses on heaviness. | さっぱりした味 |
こてこて こてこて / similar | Use when something is excessively thick, gaudy, or overdone. | More extreme and often more negative than こってり, implying something is too thick or cliché. | コテコテの関西弁 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe someone who is physically heavy or overweight.
こってり is for the richness of food or heaviness of makeup/scolding, not body weight.
Assuming it always has a negative meaning.
When used for food like ramen or stews, it is often a positive description of a rich, satisfying taste.
Examples
Examples
この店のラーメンはスープがこってりしていて、とても人気があります。
この みせ の ラーメン は スープ が こってり して いて、 とても にんき が あります。
The ramen at this shop has a rich broth and is very popular.
LiteralThe most common usage to show that the broth is rich in flavor and fat.
彼女はいつもこってりした化粧をしている。
かのじょ は いつも こってり した けしょう を して いる。
She always wears heavy makeup.
VisualDescribes applying cosmetics too thickly.
遅刻をしたので、部長にこってり絞られた。
ちこく を した ので、 ぶちょう に こってり しぼられた。
Because I was late, I was severely scolded by the manager.
FigurativeBeing thoroughly scolded without any room to escape is referred to as 'kotteri shiborareta'.
豚肉をこってりと甘辛く煮込む。
ぶたにく を こってり と あまからく にこむ。
Stew the pork thickly with a sweet and salty flavor.
LiteralIndicates cooking a dish until the liquid reduces and becomes thick.
こってりした料理ばかり食べていると胃がもたれますよ。
こってり した りょうり ばかり たべて いる と い が もたれます よ。
If you only eat rich foods, your stomach will feel heavy.
LiteralRefers to heavy, high-fat meals, cautioning against overeating.
Similar Words
コテコテ
kotekote
Describes something applied very thickly or a trait that is intensely stereotypical and unadulterated. A stronger version, often used for things that are overly thick or cliché.
ベタベタ
betabeta
Describes something physically sticky, the act of pasting things all over, couples clinging or flirting, or something highly cliché and predictable.
あっさり
assari
Describes something that is light in flavor, simple in appearance, or happens quickly and easily without resistance. Direct opposite when talking about light food or soup.
さっぱり
sappari
Describes a clean and unburdened state, such as feeling refreshed, having a light taste, or completely lacking something when used with a negative verb. Indicates a refreshing state without heaviness.
Questions
Can I use こってり for a thick book?
No, こってり describes rich flavors, heavy makeup, or severe actions. For a thick physical object like a book, use 厚い (atsui).
What is the opposite of こってり?
The most common opposite is あっさり (assari), which means light or plain, especially for food.
Is こってり a compliment for food?
Yes, it can be! Many people love 'kotteri ramen', meaning they enjoy the rich, heavy broth.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2008110
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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