Entry
つるり
tsururi
Describes something completely smooth to the touch or sliding effortlessly without friction.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
つるり (tsururi) is used to describe a surface that is completely smooth and flawless, like a peeled boiled egg or smooth skin. It also describes a movement that happens smoothly without any catching or resistance, such as swallowing food easily or momentarily slipping on a slick surface.
- A perfectly smooth surface without bumps
- A frictionless slipping or swallowing motion
Sense Map
Smooth Surface
Used for objects that have no bumps or roughness, being completely smooth to the touch.
つるりとした肌
Slipping Motion
Used for an action of slipping or sliding effortlessly, like swallowing food without chewing much or slipping on a smooth floor.
うどんをつるりと食べる
Usage Note
How to Use
つるりと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an action (like slipping, dropping, or swallowing) happens effortlessly without resistance.
つるりとした + noun
Modifies a noun to describe it as having a smooth, flawless, and bump-free surface.
つるんと + verb
A slightly more colloquial or cuter variant, often used for a sudden slipping motion or for small round objects.
How to Use
Common Phrases
つるりと滑る
to slip smoothly
つるりとむける
to peel smoothly (like an egg)
つるりと食べる
to eat by slurping smoothly
つるりとした表面
a smooth surface
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Touching a surface (like skin or porcelain) | Positive | Gives the impression that the surface is flawless, clean, and highly pleasing to the touch. |
| Swallowing food (like jelly or noodles) | Positive | Shows that the food is refreshing and goes down the throat easily without effort. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ざらざら ざらざら / opposite | Use to describe a rough, coarse, or sandy surface. | It is the direct physical opposite of the friction-free smoothness of つるり. | ざらざらした肌 |
つるつる つるつる / similar | Use to describe an ongoing state of smoothness or continuous slipping. | つるり emphasizes a single instance of being smooth or a one-time effortless slide, while つるつる is a continuous state or repeated sliding. | つるつる滑る |
するり するり / similar | Use to describe a smooth, unhindered motion passing through something or slipping away. | つるり focuses more on the lack of surface friction (slickness), whereas するり focuses on the movement passing through obstacles smoothly. | するりと抜ける |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for smooth social interactions or a meeting going well.
つるり is strictly for physical smoothness or sliding objects. For a situation going smoothly, use スムーズ (sumuuzu) or 円滑 (enkatsu).
Describing smooth, straight hair with つるり.
Smooth hair is better described with さらさら (sarasara) or つやつや (tsuyatsuya). つるり is for hairless, slick surfaces like skin or peeled eggs.
Examples
Examples
茹で卵の殻が、つるりとむけた。
ゆでたまごのからが、つるりとむけた。
The shell of the boiled egg peeled off smoothly.
VisualFocuses on how smooth the surface of the egg is after peeling.
手を滑らせて、お皿をつるりと落としてしまった。
てをすべらせて、おさらをつるりとおとしてしまった。
I accidentally dropped the plate as it slipped smoothly from my hands.
LiteralDescribes an unhindered slipping motion due to slickness.
つるりとした肌に憧れる。
つるりとしたはだにあこがれる。
I long for smooth, flawless skin.
VisualDescribes a very smooth surface texture without bumps.
暑い日でも、冷たいゼリーならつるりとお腹に入る。
あついひでも、つめたいゼリーならつるりとおなかにはいる。
Even on a hot day, cold jelly goes down into the stomach smoothly.
LiteralDescribes something that is easily swallowed without needing to chew hard.
水に濡れた石の上で、足をつるりと滑らせた。
みずにぬれたいしのうえで、あしをつるりとすべらせた。
My foot slipped smoothly on top of a wet stone.
LiteralDescribes a slick slip without friction.
Similar Words
するり
sururi
Sururi (するり) is a Japanese adverb describing a smooth, fast, and unhindered movement. Focuses on a motion passing through, rather than just a lack of friction.
するする
surusuru
Describes movement or progress that happens smoothly and effortlessly without friction or catching.
ザラザラ
zarazara
Describes a surface that feels rough to the touch, is covered in gritty particles like sand, or a voice that sounds raspy. The opposite of つるり, describing a rough surface.
つるつる
tsurutsuru
Describes a surface that is exceptionally smooth, often to the point of being slick, shiny, or slippery. Unlike the momentary つるり, this is for a continuous smooth or slippery state.
Questions
Can I use つるん instead of つるり?
Yes, つるん (tsurun) is a very common variant. It sounds slightly more casual and emphasizes an instantaneous slipping action or the cute roundness of an object.
What is the exact difference between つるり and つるつる?
つるつる describes a continuous state (a floor that is slippery all over), whereas つるり is often used for a one-time action (slipping once) or a single discrete object (one smoothly peeled egg).
Can this be used for slimy liquids?
No, slimy or gooey slickness is usually ぬるぬる (nurunuru). つるり is better suited for solid objects that have a friction-free surface.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2549530
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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