Entry
しっとり
shittori
Shittori describes something that is pleasantly moist and soft, or a calm, graceful, and serene atmosphere.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Shittori is a versatile word used for both physical textures and abstract atmospheres. Physically, it describes a pleasant, soft moistness, such as well-hydrated skin or a freshly baked cake. Abstractly, it describes a calm, quiet, and refined elegance, often applied to traditional settings, gentle rain, or a mature, graceful demeanor. It always carries a positive, soothing connotation.
- Pleasantly moist texture
- Calm and graceful atmosphere
- Quiet and gentle weather
Sense Map
Moist texture
Pleasantly soft and slightly damp, indicating good quality or hydration.
しっとりとした肌。
Calm and graceful
A serene, refined, and mature elegance in behavior or atmosphere.
しっとりと落ち着いた雰囲気。
Gentle and quiet
Quiet and peaceful, often used to describe gentle rainfall.
しっとりと雨が降る。
Usage Note
How to Use
しっとりする
Used as a verb to describe the process of becoming moist or calm.
しっとりとした + noun
Used to modify a noun, meaning "a moist [noun]" or "a graceful [noun]".
しっとりと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe an action done in a quiet, gentle, or graceful manner.
How to Use
Common Phrases
しっとりとした肌
well-moisturized skin
しっとりとしたケーキ
moist cake
しっとりと落ち着いた
calm and graceful
しっとり濡れる
to get gently wet
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Skin and hair care | positive | Indicates healthy, well-moisturized, and soft condition, opposite of dry (pasa-pasa). |
| Food and pastries | positive | Indicates a rich, soft, and moist texture that is highly desirable in cakes and sweets. |
| Atmosphere and personality | positive | Indicates a mature, calm, and refined elegance, often associated with traditional Japanese aesthetics. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
じめじめ じめじめ / contrast | Use for unpleasant, sticky, and uncomfortable humidity. | Shittori is pleasant and desirable, while jime-jime is uncomfortable and muggy. | じめじめした部屋。 |
びっしょり びっしょり / similar | Use when something is completely drenched or soaking wet. | Shittori is only slightly and pleasantly moist, not dripping wet. | 汗をびっしょりかく。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using shittori to describe a humid, uncomfortable summer day.
Use jime-jime instead. Shittori is only for pleasant moisture.
Using shittori for clothes that are soaked in the rain.
Use bisshori or gusshori for completely soaked items.
Examples
Examples
この化粧水を使うと、肌がしっとりする。
このけしょうすいをつかうと、はだがしっとりする。
Using this skin lotion makes your skin moist and soft.
LiteralIndicates a positive, desirable level of moisture for the skin.
このパウンドケーキはしっとりしていて美味しい。
このパウンドケーキはしっとりしていておいしい。
This pound cake is pleasantly moist and delicious.
LiteralShows that the cake is not dry or crumbly, which is highly praised.
春の雨がしっとりと降っている。
はるのあめがしっとりとふっている。
The spring rain is falling quietly and gently.
VisualDescribes rain that is gentle, quiet, and peaceful, not a heavy downpour.
京都の古いお寺には、しっとりとした雰囲気がある。
きょうとのふるいおてらには、しっとりとしたふんいきがある。
Old temples in Kyoto have a calm, graceful, and serene atmosphere.
FigurativeEvokes a mature, traditional, and deeply calming aesthetic.
彼女は着物が似合う、しっとりとした女性だ。
かのじょはきものがにあう、しっとりとしたじょせいだ。
She is a calm and graceful woman who looks good in a kimono.
FigurativeUsed as a compliment to describe a woman who has a mature, refined, and calm demeanor.
Similar Words
びっしょり
bisshori
Completely drenched or soaked through, usually by sweat or rain. Indicates completely soaked, not just moist.
しとしと
shitoshito
Describes light rain falling quietly and continuously, or a state of being mildly damp.
おっとり
ottori
A calm, gentle, and unhurried personality or demeanor.
じめじめ
jimejime
Describes an uncomfortably damp, humid environment, or a gloomy, persistently negative personality or mood. Opposite for unpleasant humidity.
Questions
Can I use shittori for wet clothes?
No, shittori implies a pleasant, slight moisture. For wet clothes, words like bisshori (soaked) are better.
Is shittori a compliment when used for a person?
Yes, it describes a mature, graceful, and calm demeanor, which is highly complimentary.
What is the opposite of a shittori cake?
A dry and crumbly cake would be described as pasa-pasa.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2121280
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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