Entry
つるつる
tsurutsuru
Describes a surface that is exceptionally smooth, often to the point of being slick, shiny, or slippery.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Tsurutsuru primarily represents a frictionless surface that is extremely smooth. Because there is no friction, this often implies that the surface is slippery like ice, shiny like a bald head, or slick like polished floors. It also describes the sound and action of smoothly slurping long noodles.
- Exceptionally smooth and slippery surfaces
- Smooth, shiny, and hairless surfaces
- The action of slurping noodles smoothly
Sense Map
Smooth and Slippery
Used for surfaces that have so little friction they become slippery, such as ice, polished floors, or slick roads.
氷の上をつるつる滑る
Smooth and Shiny
Used for surfaces that are perfectly smooth and reflect light, such as a bald head, well-cared-for skin, or polished objects.
つるつるの頭
Slurping Noodles
Describes the sound or action of smoothly sucking up long noodles like ramen or udon without hesitation.
うどんをつるつると食べる
Usage Note
How to Use
つるつるになる
Expresses a change of state where something becomes completely smooth, shiny, or slippery.
つるつる滑る
Used as an adverb to describe the action of slipping repeatedly or smoothly on a frictionless surface.
つるつるの + noun
Modifies a noun to describe its physical characteristic as smooth or shiny.
つるつると + verb
Used as an adverb to describe an action done smoothly, most commonly slurping noodles.
How to Use
Common Phrases
つるつる滑る
to slip and slide smoothly
つるつるになる
to become smooth or shiny
つるつるの肌
smooth, flawless skin
つるつると食べる
to slurp up (noodles) smoothly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Describing skin | positive | A huge compliment for perfectly smooth, flawless skin, often implying a healthy, glowing appearance. |
| Describing winter roads | negative | Acts as a warning that the surface is completely frozen and dangerously slippery. |
| Describing a bald head | neutral | Commonly used to describe a completely shaven, shiny head, though it can sound slightly humorous depending on the context. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
すべすべ すべすべ / nearby | Use when describing a surface that feels pleasant, soft, and smooth to the touch, like fine cloth or dry, healthy skin. | Does not imply being shiny or slippery. A stone can be tsurutsuru (polished and shiny), but skin is often preferred as subesube (soft and velvety without feeling slick). | すべすべの肌 |
ぬるぬる ぬるぬる / nearby | Use when a surface is slippery due to being covered in slime, grease, or a wet film. | Tsurutsuru describes dry or frozen frictionless smoothness, whereas nurunuru involves an often unpleasant, slimy, or oily liquid layer. | ヌルヌルする石 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using tsurutsuru to describe soft fabrics like silk or velvet.
Tsurutsuru often implies a hard, shiny, or slick smoothness. For soft, dry, pleasant smoothness on skin or fabric, subesube is usually more natural.
Using tsurutsuru for the sound of drinking soup or beverages.
Tsurutsuru is specifically for the frictionless slurping of solid strands like noodles. Use gokugoku or similar mimetic words for drinking liquids.
Examples
Examples
凍った道はつるつる滑って危ない。
こおったみちはつるつるすべってあぶない。
The frozen road is dangerously slippery.
VisualDescribes the frictionless, hazardous state of icy roads in winter.
赤ちゃんの肌はつるつるしている。
あかちゃんのはだはつるつるしている。
The baby's skin is perfectly smooth.
VisualA positive description of flawless, tight skin.
温かいうどんをつるつると食べる。
あたたかいうどんをつるつるとたべる。
Slurping down warm udon noodles smoothly.
LiteralFocuses on the continuous, smooth suction action of eating long noodles.
廊下を磨いてつるつるにする。
ろうかをみがいてつるつるにする。
Polishing the hallway floor until it is slick and shiny.
VisualShows the result of cleaning or polishing where the surface is now frictionless.
彼はお寺に入り、つるつるの頭になった。
かれはおてらにはいり、つるつるのあたまになった。
He entered the temple and got a shiny bald head.
VisualUsed for a freshly shaven head that reflects light.
Similar Words
すべすべ
subesube
すべすべ describes a smooth, soft, and velvety texture, typically referring to healthy skin or fine materials. Velvety smooth, not shiny or slick.
ぬるぬる
nurunuru
Describes a slimy and slippery texture, or in modern slang, animation that moves extremely smoothly. Slippery because of slime or grease.
Questions
Can tsurutsuru be used for smooth talking?
No, tsurutsuru is strictly for physical textures and the physical action of slurping. For smooth talking, you would use words like perapera.
What is the difference between tsurutsuru and subesube for skin?
Both are positive. Tsurutsuru implies skin that is so smooth it might have a slight glow or flawless tight surface (like an egg). Subesube implies skin that is soft, dry, and velvety to the touch.
Why does tsurutsuru mean both smooth and slurping?
The core concept is zero friction. A smooth floor has no friction, and slurping noodles smoothly into your mouth without catching on your lips also involves a frictionless, continuous sliding motion.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1008220
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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