Entry
すらっと
suratto
Describes a gracefully slender, slim, and well-proportioned appearance.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is used to describe a person's figure or body parts (such as legs or fingers) that are not just thin, but beautifully long, straight, and well-balanced.
- A slender and tall figure
- Gracefully long body parts
Sense Map
Overall Figure
Describes a tall, slim, and well-proportioned body, often like a fashion model.
すらっとしたスタイルの女性
Specific Body Parts
Describes limbs or fingers that are long, straight, and elegant.
すらっと伸びた指
Usage Note
How to Use
すらっとする
Used as a verb to mean 'to be/become slender'.
すらっとしている
Describes the current state of someone being slim and well-proportioned.
すらっとした + noun
Acts as a modifier, e.g., 'slender legs' (すらっとした足).
すらっと + verb
Acts as an adverb modifying an action, like 'growing long and slender' (すらっと伸びる).
How to Use
Common Phrases
すらっとした足
slender, long legs
すらっと伸びた
grown long and slender
すらっとした体型
slender figure
すらっと見える
to look slim
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Describing someone's overall physique. | positive | Acts as a compliment praising their model-like proportions. |
| Describing specific body parts like legs or fingers. | positive | Highlights elegant length and straightness. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ほっそり ほっそり / similar | Use when emphasizing delicate thinness or small volume. | すらっと (suratto) focuses on length, straightness, and good proportions (like a model), while ほっそり (hossori) simply highlights being thin and delicate without necessarily implying tallness. | ほっそりした腕 |
ひょろひょろ ひょろひょろ / contrast | Use for someone who is tall and skinny but looks weak, unsteady, or gangly. | すらっと (suratto) is a compliment for a healthy, beautiful figure, whereas ひょろひょろ (hyorohyoro) carries a negative nuance of weakness and awkward skinniness. | ひょろひょろの男 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe someone who lost weight from being sick.
Use words like 'げっそり' (gessori). 'Suratto' implies a healthy, attractive, and well-balanced slender shape.
Applying it to the width of a narrow room or street.
It is used almost exclusively for the physical proportions of living things (humans) or specific long objects, not for the spatial dimensions of places.
Examples
Examples
彼女はすらっとした足をしている。
かのじょ は すらっと した あし を している。
She has slender, long legs.
VisualThis is a very common usage to compliment beautiful legs.
彼は背が高く、すらっとしている。
かれ は せ が たかく、すらっと している。
He is tall and has a slender, well-proportioned figure.
VisualShows that this word can also be used to describe men.
ピアニストのすらっと伸びた指が美しい。
ピアニスト の すらっと のびた ゆび が うつくしい。
The pianist's long, slender fingers are beautiful.
VisualUsed with the verb 'nobiru' (to grow/extend) for specific body parts.
このドレスを着ると、スタイルがすらっと見える。
この ドレス を きる と、スタイル が すらっと みえる。
Wearing this dress makes your figure look slim and well-proportioned.
VisualOften used in fashion contexts regarding the slimming effect of clothing.
モデルのようなすらっとした体型に憧れる。
モデル の ような すらっと した たいけい に あこがれる。
I admire a slender, well-proportioned figure like a model's.
VisualThe combination with 'taikei' (figure/body shape) is very common for describing overall physique.
Similar Words
すんなり
sunnari
Describes a process advancing smoothly without resistance, or a physical appearance that is slender and lithe.
ほっそり
hossori
Elegantly slender, slim, or delicate, typically describing a person's body or limbs. Emphasizes thin and delicate limbs or body without necessarily implying height.
すらり
surari
Surari describes something or someone as long, slender, and well-proportioned, or movement as smooth and continuous.
ひょろひょろ
hyorohyoro
Describes moving unsteadily due to physical weakness, or having a tall, thin, and frail physical appearance. Means tall and thin but with a negative nuance of being weak or unsteady.
Questions
Can I use 'suratto' to describe a man?
Yes. While very common for women, it can certainly be used for a tall, slim, and well-proportioned man.
Is it polite to say this directly to someone?
Yes, it is generally taken as a very nice compliment in Japanese culture.
What is the difference between 'suratto' and 'surari'?
They mean the exact same thing. 'Surari' sounds slightly more formal or literary, while 'suratto' is the everyday conversational form.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2008470
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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