Entry
さっくり
sakkuri
さっくり describes a light, crisp food texture or performing an action quickly and efficiently without unnecessary complication.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is primarily used in two ways. First, it describes a light, flaky, or crisp texture that breaks apart cleanly, such as pie crusts, cookies, or light fried batter. Second, figuratively, it describes doing something, like explaining a topic or finishing a task, in a brisk, clean, and straightforward manner without getting bogged down in details.
- Crisp and flaky texture
- Efficient and brief action
Sense Map
Food Texture
Used for pastries or fried foods that are crisp on the outside and light to bite into.
さっくりした食感
Efficient Action
Used when completing tasks or giving explanations briefly, without wasting time on trivial details.
さっくりと説明する
Usage Note
How to Use
さっくりする
Used as a verb to indicate that something has a crisp or flaky texture.
さっくりした + noun
Used to modify a noun, describing it as crisp (like food) or concise (like an explanation).
さっくりと + verb
Acts as an adverb with the particle 'to', detailing how an action is performed lightly or efficiently.
さっくり + verb
Acts as a direct adverb describing an action without any extra particles.
How to Use
Common Phrases
さっくり揚がる
to be fried crisp and light
さっくり切る
to cut cleanly
さっくり説明する
to explain concisely
さっくりした食感
a crisp and flaky texture
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Discussing food | positive | Very common in recipes or food reviews to praise the perfect texture of baked goods or tempura. |
| At work | positive | Implies you are working smart and fast, keeping explanations short and sweet. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ざっくり ざっくり / contrast | Use for rough estimates, coarse textures, or doing things in a broad, unrefined way. | Not the same as the clean, crisp, or efficient nuance of さっくり. | ざっくり計算する |
あっさり あっさり / similar | Use for light flavors, simple designs, or giving up without a fuss. | Not for physical crisp/flaky textures or the specific efficiency of completing tasks cleanly. | あっさり諦める |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using さっくり to describe crisp, fresh vegetables like lettuce.
For watery, crunchy vegetables, use シャキシャキ (shakishaki). さっくり is strictly for dry, crumbly, or flaky textures like cookies.
Confusing it with ざっくり to mean 'roughly' or 'approximately'.
ざっくり means broadly or roughly, while さっくり emphasizes speed, conciseness, or light crispness.
Examples
Examples
クッキーがさっくりと焼き上がった。
クッキーがさっくりとやきあがった。
The cookies baked up nice and crisp.
VisualShows the light, crisp texture of the cookies.
パイ生地はさっくりした食感が美味しい。
パイきじはさっくりしたしょっかんがおいしい。
The flaky texture of the pie crust is delicious.
VisualDescribes the flaky, easily crumbly texture of a pie.
会議で計画についてさっくりと説明した。
かいぎでけいかくについてさっくりとせつめいした。
I gave a quick, concise explanation of the plan at the meeting.
FigurativeShows an efficient explanation without unnecessary details.
彼は難しい仕事をさっくり終わらせた。
かれはむずかしいしごとをさっくりおわらせた。
He efficiently finished the difficult job without making a fuss.
FigurativeDescribes the ability to complete a task smoothly and swiftly.
ナイフでりんごをさっくり切る。
ナイフでりんごをさっくりきる。
Cutting the apple cleanly with a knife.
LiteralRefers to a clean, easy cutting action.
Similar Words
ざっくり
zakkuri
Roughly, approximately, or a chunky, loose texture. ざっくり means rough or loose, contrasting with the crisp efficiency of さっくり.
あっさり
assari
Describes something that is light in flavor, simple in appearance, or happens quickly and easily without resistance. あっさり can also mean light or without fuss, but isn't used for physical crispness.
Questions
Is it polite to use さっくり in a business meeting?
Yes, saying 'さっくり説明します' (I will explain briefly) is often appreciated because it shows you won't waste the listeners' time.
Can I use さっくり for extremely hard, crunchy fried chicken?
If it is very hard and heavily breaded, ザクザク (zakuzaku) or カリカリ (karikari) is better. さっくり implies a much lighter, delicate crispness.
What is the main difference between さっくり and ざっくり?
さっくり means concise, clean, or light. In contrast, ざっくり means rough, broad, or imprecise.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2423470
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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