Entry
しわしわ
shiwashiwa
Describes a physical state of having many wrinkles, creases, or being shriveled.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word describes something that is wrinkled, creased, or crumpled. It is very commonly used to talk about pruney fingers after a long bath, the wrinkled skin of an elderly person, an unironed shirt, or a crumpled piece of paper.
- Wrinkled skin
- Creased fabric/paper
Sense Map
Skin and Body
Describes skin that has become pruney from water exposure or wrinkled from old age.
しわしわの手
Fabric and Paper
Describes clothes, fabric, or paper that are crumpled, creased, or need ironing.
しわしわのシャツ
Food (Shriveled)
Describes fruit or food that has dried up and shriveled.
しわしわの梅干し
Usage Note
How to Use
しわしわの + 名詞
しわしわに + なる
How to Use
Common Phrases
しわしわの手
wrinkled hands
しわしわの顔
wrinkled face
しわしわの服
wrinkled clothes
しわしわになる
to get wrinkled/shriveled
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Describing elderly people | Casual | While natural in stories or descriptions, it can sound blunt or rude if said directly to an older person about their skin. |
| Describing clothing | Neutral/Negative | Suggests the clothing is untidy and requires ironing. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
しわくちゃ しわくちゃ / similar | Use this when something is thoroughly crumpled, crushed into a ball, or severely wrinkled in a messy way. | しわしわ describes having wrinkles, while しわくちゃ emphasizes a completely crumpled and messy state. | しわくちゃの紙 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Saying しわしわする (shiwashiwa suru)
To express getting wrinkled, use しわしわになる (shiwashiwa ni naru) instead of the 'suru' verb form.
Using it for a broken or torn item.
しわしわ only applies to wrinkles, folds, or creases. It does not mean broken, torn, or ruined.
Examples
Examples
お風呂に長く入りすぎて、指がしわしわになった。
おふろにながくはいりすぎて、ゆびがしわしわになった。
I stayed in the bath too long, and my fingers got wrinkled.
LiteralDescribes the common occurrence of skin getting pruney in water.
カバンからしわしわのシャツを出した。
カバンからしわしわのシャツをだした。
I took a wrinkled shirt out of my bag.
LiteralShows a piece of clothing that has lost its smoothness from being packed away.
おばあちゃんのしわしわの手は温かかった。
おばあちゃんのしわしわのてはあたたかかった。
Grandma's wrinkled hands were warm.
LiteralDescribes natural wrinkles on the skin due to old age.
ポケットの中からしわしわの千円札が出てきた。
ポケットのなかからしわしわのせんえんさつがでてきた。
A crumpled thousand-yen bill came out of my pocket.
LiteralDescribes a banknote that has many folds and creases.
お弁当に入っていたしわしわの梅干しを食べた。
おべんとうにはいっていたしわしわのうめぼしをたべた。
I ate the shriveled pickled plum that was in my bento box.
LiteralDescribes food that has lost its moisture and dried up on the surface.
Similar Words
しわくちゃ
しわくちゃ
Use this when something is thoroughly crumpled, crushed into a ball, or severely wrinkled in a messy way. しわしわ describes having wrinkles, while しわくちゃ emphasizes a completely crumpled and messy state.
Questions
Can I use しわしわ to describe an old person's face?
Yes, 'shiwashiwa no kao' (wrinkled face) is a natural description, though you should avoid saying it directly to the person to be polite.
What is the difference between しわしわ (shiwashiwa) and しわくちゃ (shiwakucha)?
しわくちゃ is more intense. While しわしわ means wrinkly or creased, しわくちゃ means deeply crumpled, crushed, or very messy (like a piece of paper scrunched into a ball).
Does it apply to food?
Yes, it frequently describes dried or shriveled foods, such as a pickled plum (umeboshi) or an old apple.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 887491378
- Source
- Internal
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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