Entry
ざっくり
zakkuri
Roughly, approximately, or a chunky, loose texture.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A word that describes doing something roughly or in broad strokes without worrying about fine details, such as giving a rough estimate or summary. It is also commonly used to describe a thick, loosely woven texture like a chunky knit, or the act of cutting something deeply with vigor.
- Rough estimates or summaries
- Chunky, coarse texture of fabric
- Cutting something in large, deep pieces
Sense Map
Roughly & Approximately
Calculating or explaining something in broad terms without precise details or exact figures.
費用をざっくり計算する。
Fabric Texture
A chunky, loosely woven texture made of thick yarn, especially used for knitwear.
ざっくりしたセーターを着る。
Rough Cutting
The physical action of cutting an object (like vegetables) vigorously into large, rough pieces.
野菜をざっくり切る。
Usage Note
How to Use
ざっくり（と） + verb
Used as an adverb to show that an action (like calculating, explaining, or cutting) is done roughly or approximately.
ざっくりした + noun
Acts as an adjective to modify a noun, describing either a plan lacking fine details or an item with a chunky/coarse texture.
ざっくりでいいので + request
How to Use
Common Phrases
ざっくり（と）言う
to say roughly / summarize
ざっくり（と）計算する
to estimate / calculate roughly
ざっくりしたセーター
a chunky knit sweater
ざっくり（と）切る
to cut roughly/deeply
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Business & Discussions | neutral | Very common when colleagues ask each other for a ballpark estimate before doing a deep analysis. |
| Fashion & Clothing | positive | Often seen in fashion magazines to praise a thick, warm, comfortably woven sweater. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ざっと ざっと / similar | Used when looking at, reading, or doing something quickly and fleetingly. | ざっと focuses on speed and a quick glance (like skimming a document), while ざっくり focuses on getting the broad strokes or rough summary without caring about details. | 資料をざっと読む。 |
ばっさり ばっさり / similar | Used when cutting something drastically or rejecting something decisively. | ばっさり is often used for chopping off long hair drastically or slashing a budget, whereas cutting ざっくり refers more to cutting a physical object (like food) into large, deep chunks. | 髪をばっさり切る。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ざっくり when skimming a book or glancing at something quickly.
Use ざっと (zatto) for quick scanning. ざっくり is for rough summaries or broad estimates.
Using this word in formal reports that require exact precision.
Because it means 'roughly', using it implies you are intentionally ignoring exact details, which is inappropriate for strict data reporting.
Examples
Examples
ざっくりと計算すると、費用は十万円くらいです。
ざっくり と けいさん する と 、 ひよう は じゅうまんえん くらい です 。
Roughly calculated, the cost is about one hundred thousand yen.
FigurativeUsed to express a ballpark estimate.
その映画のあらすじをざっくり教えてください。
その えいが の あらすじ を ざっくり おしえて ください 。
Please give me a rough summary of the movie's plot.
FigurativeAsking for a summary without needing the detailed story.
彼女はざっくりしたセーターを着ていた。
かのじょ は ざっくり した セーター を きて いた 。
She was wearing a chunky knit sweater.
VisualDescribes fabric with a loose weave and thick material.
キャベツをざっくりと切って鍋に入れる。
キャベツ を ざっくり と きって なべ に いれる 。
Cut the cabbage roughly and put it in the pot.
LiteralCutting without worrying about neat, uniform sizes.
彼の提案はざっくりしすぎていて、詳細がわからない。
かれ の ていあん は ざっくり しすぎて いて 、 しょうさい が わからない 。
His proposal is too rough, so I don't understand the details.
FigurativeToo general to the point of lacking important information.
Similar Words
ざっと
zatto
Zatto means to do something quickly and superficially or indicates a rough estimate without fine details. Both mean roughly, but ざっと emphasizes doing something quickly or briefly (e.g., skimming a document).
ばっさり
bassari
Bassari describes the action of cutting something completely, cleanly, and without hesitation in a single swift motion. Both relate to cutting, but ばっさり is used for drastic cuts (like hair or budgets) or flat-out rejection.
Questions
What is the difference between ざっくり (zakkuri) and ざっと (zatto)?
ざっと (zatto) emphasizes speed and doing something briefly (like skimming). ざっくり (zakkuri) emphasizes ignoring small details to get the big picture or a rough estimate.
Is it polite to use ざっくり with a boss?
In casual internal meetings, it is fine to say things like 'ざっくりでいいので' (Just a rough idea is fine). However, avoid it in strict formal documents or when speaking to external clients.
What does 'ざっくりした' mean when buying clothes?
It means the fabric is a chunky knit. The yarn used is thick, and the weaving is slightly loose, giving it a cozy, voluminous feel.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2150740
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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