Entry
もさもさ
mosamosa
Describes something growing thickly and unkemptly like hair or vegetation, or a person who moves sluggishly and lacks sharpness.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word primarily serves two functions. First, it describes things that have grown thick but remain untrimmed, unruly, and unkempt, such as a heavy beard, messy hair, or overgrown weeds. Second, it characterizes a person whose movements or reactions are slow, sluggish, unenergetic, or lacking in mental sharpness.
- Thick and untrimmed (hair, beard, plants)
- Sluggish and dull (person's movement or mind)
Sense Map
Thick and Unkempt Hair/Vegetation
Used when hair, beards, or plants grow abundantly but are left unmaintained, resulting in an untidy or messy appearance.
髭がもさもさ伸びる
Sluggish or Dull Behavior
Used to describe someone who moves very slowly, appears unmotivated, or acts in a dim-witted or dull manner.
もさもさした動作
Usage Note
How to Use
もさもさする
Functions as a verb to state that something feels thick and unkempt, or that someone is behaving sluggishly.
もさもさした + noun
Used to modify a noun, such as a sluggish person (もさもさした人) or messy hair (もさもさした髪).
もさもさと + verb
Acts as an adverb to describe how an action is performed, like walking sluggishly (もさもさと歩く).
How to Use
Common Phrases
もさもさの髪
thick, unkempt hair
髭がもさもさする
beard feels thick and untrimmed
草がもさもさ生える
weeds grow densely
もさもさと動く
to move sluggishly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hair and Plants | negative | Indicates that the hair or plants have not been trimmed and look bothersomely overgrown. |
| Movement and Attitude | negative | Creates an impression of a person who is unenergetic, slow-witted, and frustratingly sluggish. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ふさふさ ふさふさ / opposite | Used to compliment thick, soft, and beautiful hair or animal fur. | Unlike もさもさ, which implies untidiness, ふさふさ is a strong compliment for healthy, attractive hair. | ふさふさの髪 |
もっさり もっさり / similar | Used when someone or something is sluggish, heavy, or notably unstylish. | Both can describe messy hair or slow people, but もっさり puts more emphasis on being unrefined, heavy, or out of fashion. | もっさりした服 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using もさもさ to praise someone's thick, lovely hair.
Use ふさふさ instead. Using もさもさ sounds like you are criticizing their hair for being messy and overgrown.
Using もさもさ for slow but careful, methodical movement.
Use ゆっくり. もさもさ implies slowness caused by dullness, laziness, or a lack of energy.
Examples
Examples
彼の髭がもさもさ伸びている。
かれのひげがもさもさのびている。
His beard is growing thick and unkempt.
VisualDescribes a beard that is long, thick, and untrimmed.
庭の草がもさもさ生い茂っている。
にわのくさがもさもさおいしげっている。
The grass in the garden is growing very thickly.
VisualIndicates weeds or grass growing uncontrollably.
犬の毛がもさもさしていて可愛い。
いぬのけがもさもさしていてかわいい。
The dog's fur is thick and shaggy, making it look cute.
VisualA slightly positive usage for the shaggy, unkempt appearance of an animal.
彼は朝からずっともさもさしている。
かれはあさからずっともさもさしている。
He has been acting sluggishly all morning.
FigurativeIndicates a lack of energy or sluggish movement.
もさもさと歩く姿を見てイライラした。
もさもさとあるくすがたをみてイライラした。
Watching him walk sluggishly made me feel irritated.
FigurativeUsed when someone's sluggishness causes frustration for others.
Similar Words
もっさり
mossari
Similar, but emphasizes a heavy or unstylish/old-fashioned impression.
ふさふさ
fusafusa
This word describes hair or animal fur that is thick, abundant, bushy, and soft to the touch. Opposite for hair; means thick, soft, and beautiful.
ぼやぼや
boyaboya
ぼやぼや describes a state of being inattentive, absentminded, or careless, often resulting in mistakes or missed opportunities.
Questions
Can I use this word for cute animals?
Yes, but only if you find their shaggy, slightly messy fur endearing. If you just want to say their fur is beautiful and soft, use ふさふさ.
Is mosamosa the same as mossari?
Very similar. Both describe thick, unruly hair or sluggish behavior. However, mossari is also commonly used to criticize old-fashioned, unstylish clothing or designs.
Can this describe the texture of food?
Sometimes, colloquially, it can be used for dry, crumbly food that takes all the moisture from your mouth (like dry sweet potatoes or bread), making it hard to swallow.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2106800
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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