Entry
くしゃくしゃ
kushakusha
A state of being crumpled, wrinkled, or messy, typically referring to surfaces like paper, clothes, or hair.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This mimetic word describes a physical state where a flat surface has become covered in wrinkles or folds. It is also used to describe unkempt human appearance and a mental state of being annoyed or flustered.
- Crumpled objects
- Disheveled appearance
- Mental irritation
Sense Map
Physical State
Describes thin materials like paper or cloth that have lost their flatness due to being crushed or folded.
紙をくしゃくしゃに丸める。
Appearance
Describes untidy hair or a face that is wrinkled up from strong emotion like laughing or crying.
寝起きで髪がくしゃくしゃだ。
Emotional State
Describes a feeling of being upset, annoyed, or mentally cluttered due to stress.
悩み事があって心がくしゃくしゃする。
Usage Note
How to Use
くしゃくしゃにする
To intentionally or accidentally make something crumpled or messy.
くしゃくしゃになる
For something to become crumpled or messy as a result of an action or process.
くしゃくしゃの + noun
Using the word as an adjective to describe a noun in a crumpled state.
くしゃくしゃだ
Stating that something is currently in a messy or wrinkled condition.
How to Use
Common Phrases
くしゃくしゃの紙
crumpled paper
髪をくしゃくしゃにする
to mess up someone's hair
くしゃくしゃに丸める
to crumple into a ball
顔をくしゃくしゃにして笑う
to smile broadly with a wrinkled face
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Objects (Paper/Cloth) | Neutral | Focuses on the loss of a smooth surface. |
| Emotions | Negative | Indicates mental unrest or irritation. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぐしゃぐしゃ ぐしゃぐしゃ / similar | Use when the messiness includes being wet, crushed into a pulp, or heavily soiled. | Kushakusha refers to dry wrinkles, while gushagusha implies sogginess or severe structural destruction. | 大雨で靴がぐしゃぐしゃになった。 |
むしゃくしゃ むしゃくしゃ / similar | Use exclusively for describing a bad mood or explosive irritation. | Kushakusha can be physical or emotional; mushakusha is strictly for mental frustration. | 腹が立ってむしゃくしゃする。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using kushakusha for the sound of someone chewing noisily.
Use kuchakucha for the sound of smacking lips or chewing with an open mouth.
Thinking it only applies to trash or paper.
It is also commonly used for hair and even emotional states.
Examples
Examples
読み終わった手紙をくしゃくしゃに丸めてゴミ箱に捨てた。
よみおわったてがみをくしゃくしゃにまるめてごみばこにすてた。
I crumpled the finished letter into a ball and threw it in the trash.
LiteralShows the physical action of crumpling paper.
彼は顔をくしゃくしゃにして笑った。
かれはかおをくしゃくしゃにしてわらった。
He laughed with his whole face wrinkled up.
VisualShows a facial expression full of wrinkles from laughter.
嫌なことが続いて、心がくしゃくしゃしている。
いやなことがつづいて、こころがくしゃくしゃしている。
Bad things keep happening, and my heart feels all cluttered and upset.
FigurativeShows a cluttered or uneasy mental state.
朝起きると、髪がくしゃくしゃになっていた。
あさおきると、かみがくしゃくしゃになっていた。
When I woke up in the morning, my hair was all messy.
VisualShows the untidy appearance of hair after sleeping.
カバンの中にくしゃくしゃのレシートが入っていた。
かばんのなかにくしゃくしゃのれしーとがはいっていた。
There was a crumpled receipt inside the bag.
LiteralShows a small object (paper) in a wrinkled condition.
Similar Words
くちゃくちゃ
kuchakucha
Describes the sound of smacking lips while chewing with an open mouth, or the physical state of being crumpled and messy.
むしゃくしゃ
mushakusha
Describes a state of pent-up frustration and irritation, or physical things like hair being shaggy and unkempt. Focuses on strong feelings of irritation.
ぐしゃぐしゃ
gushagusha
Completely soaked, severely crushed out of shape, or thoroughly messy and disorganized. Indicates a more extreme or wet messiness.
ボサボサ
bosabosa
The state of hair or bristles being tangled and messy, or the act of idling away time doing nothing.
Questions
Can I use kushakusha for clothes that need ironing?
Yes, it is the perfect word for wrinkled laundry.
How is it different from bosabosa for hair?
Bosabosa means hair is sticking out wildly, while kushakusha means it is generally messy or tangled.
Is it polite to use?
It is a common informal word. It is fine for daily conversation but avoid it in very formal writing.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1003700
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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