Entry
くしゅくしゅ
kushukushu
Describes the state of soft materials being lightly crumpled or ruffled, or the uncomfortable sensation of an itchy, runny nose.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is used to express that soft materials like fabric, clothing, or paper have been lightly crumpled, wrinkled, or squeezed into a ruffled state. It is also commonly used to describe a nose that is itchy, runny, and irritated, often leading to sneezes from allergies or a cold.
- Crumpled or ruffled cloth/paper
- Itchy or runny nose
Sense Map
Crumpled or Wrinkled
Describes soft materials like cloth, paper, or hair that are ruffled, tousled, or lightly crumpled.
紙をくしゅくしゅに丸める。
Itchy and Runny Nose
Describes the irritating, tickling sensation in the nose accompanied by a runny discharge, typical of allergies.
花粉で鼻がくしゅくしゅする。
Usage Note
How to Use
くしゅくしゅする
Used as a verb to state that a nose is itchy/runny, or the action of crumpling something up.
くしゅくしゅな + Noun
Describes a noun as having a ruffled or crumply texture.
くしゅくしゅに + Verb
Used as an adverbial phrase meaning 'into a crumpled state'.
くしゅくしゅの + Noun
A common alternative to the 'na' form for modifying nouns.
How to Use
Common Phrases
鼻がくしゅくしゅする
nose is itchy and runny
くしゅくしゅに丸める
to crumple up into a ball
くしゅくしゅの髪
tousled/ruffled hair
くしゅくしゅさせる
to make something crumply/ruffled
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Fashion and hair styling | Neutral to Positive | Can imply a stylishly messy look, like casually ruffled hair or clothes with intentional wrinkled textures. |
| Allergy season | Slightly negative | Describes the annoying discomfort of hay fever or a cold making the nose tickle and run. |
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 something is severely crushed, messily destroyed, or completely soaked. | While くしゅくしゅ is a light, soft ruffling or crumpling, ぐしゃぐしゃ implies a chaotic, messy, and heavy destruction. | 紙をぐしゃぐしゃに潰す。 |
むずむず むずむず / similar | Use for a general creeping, tickling itch anywhere on the body, or psychological impatience. | くしゅくしゅ is highly specific to a runny, ticklish nose (often with sniffling sounds), whereas ムズムズ is a broader restless itch. | 背中がムズムズする。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using くしゅくしゅ for a crushed car or a broken hard object.
It only applies to soft materials like fabric or paper. For hard objects being crushed, use ぐしゃぐしゃ (gusha-gusha) or ぺちゃんこ (pechanko).
Using it for itchy eyes.
The physical sensation described by this word is almost exclusively reserved for the nose.
Examples
Examples
間違えた手紙をくしゅくしゅに丸めて捨てた。
まちがえた てがみを くしゅくしゅに まるめて すてた。
I crumpled the mistakenly written letter into a ball and threw it away.
VisualDescribes the action of crumpling paper into a crumply ball.
花粉症のせいで、朝から鼻がくしゅくしゅする。
かふんしょうの せいで、あさから はなが くしゅくしゅ する。
Thanks to hay fever, my nose has been itchy and runny since morning.
LiteralTypical usage for allergy symptoms in the nose.
ポケットからくしゅくしゅのレシートが出てきた。
ポケットから くしゅくしゅの レシートが でてきた。
A crumpled receipt came out of my pocket.
VisualShows paper that has been irregularly folded and wrinkled in a tight space.
彼女はくしゅくしゅっとした髪型がよく似合う。
かのじょは くしゅくしゅっと した かみがたが よく にあう。
She looks great with a casually tousled hairstyle.
VisualUsed with a positive connotation for stylish fashion or hair.
布をくしゅくしゅに寄せて縫うと、可愛いフリルができる。
ぬのを くしゅくしゅに よせて ぬうと、かわいい フリルが できる。
If you gather and sew the fabric tightly, it makes a cute ruffle.
VisualDescribes the intentional gathering or rucheing of fabric in sewing.
Similar Words
ムズムズ
muzumuzu
A ticklish or crawling sensation of itchiness, or a psychological restlessness and eager urge to take action. A more general physical itch or psychological restlessness.
ぐしゃぐしゃ
gushagusha
Completely soaked, severely crushed out of shape, or thoroughly messy and disorganized. Used for severely crushed or ruined items, unlike the light ruffling of くしゅくしゅ.
Questions
Is くしゅくしゅ always a bad thing?
No. In fashion, a 'kushu-kushu' texture (like ruched fabric or tousled hair) is often considered cute or stylishly casual.
Can I say this when my nose is completely blocked?
Not really. It specifically refers to the tickling, watery phase that makes you want to sneeze or sniffle.
What's the difference between this and くたくた (kuta-kuta)?
くたくた describes clothing that is worn out, stretched, and has lost its shape from overuse, whereas くしゅくしゅ refers to surface wrinkles and ruffles.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2832060
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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