Entry
ざらっと
zaratto
Describes a momentary or slight sensation of roughness, coarseness, or grittiness when touching a surface.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
ざらっと (zaratto) is an adverb that expresses a quick, brief, or slight feeling of roughness or grittiness. It is often used for textures like sand on a surface, unpolished materials, or coarse fabrics. Compared to 'zarazara', which implies a continuous and widespread state of roughness, 'zaratto' focuses on the momentary sensation experienced upon physically touching or tasting something.
- A gritty feeling from particles like dust or sand
- The inherent coarse texture of materials like rough paper
- A powdery or gritty sensation lingering in the mouth
Sense Map
Rough touch (dust, sand)
The gritty feeling of touching something covered in fine particles like dust or sand.
テーブルが砂でざらっとする
Coarse texture (fabric, materials, tongue)
The inherent rough or coarse texture of materials such as unpolished wood, rough paper, or a cat's tongue.
ざらっとした和紙
Usage Note
How to Use
ざらっとする
Used as a verb to state that something feels rough, coarse, or gritty to the touch.
ざらっとした + noun
Forms a modifier to describe a noun that has a coarse or gritty texture, like 'a rough surface'.
ざらっと + verb
Functions as an adverb modifying a perception verb, such as in 'ざらっと感じる' (to feel a gritty sensation).
How to Use
Common Phrases
ざらっとした手触り
rough touch
表面がざらっとする
surface feels rough
舌がざらっとする
tongue feels gritty/rough
ざらっとした質感
coarse texture
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Touching a dusty or sandy table | neutral/negative | Emphasizes the sudden, unpleasant realization of the gritty texture on your hand. |
| Describing natural materials (like paper or cloth) | neutral/positive | Can highlight a desirable organic or rustic texture of a crafted item. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ざらざら ざらざら / similar | For a widespread, continuous rough or sandy texture. | 'Zarazara' describes an ongoing state of roughness, whereas 'zaratto' emphasizes a brief, momentary sensation upon touching. | 机の上がざらざらする。 |
ざっくり ざっくり / similar | For coarsely woven textures (like a sweater) or making a conceptual rough estimation. | 'Zakkuri' relates to structural looseness or rough estimates, whereas 'zaratto' strictly focuses on the physical gritty touch of a surface. | ざっくりしたセーター。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe a person's 'rough' personality or behavior.
Zaratto is strictly for physical textures. Use 荒い (arai) or 乱暴な (ranbou na) for behavior or personality.
Confusing it with 'zarazara' for large, continuously rough surfaces.
Use zarazara for an ongoing rough state, while zaratto highlights a quick, momentary touch.
Examples
Examples
テーブルを触ると、砂でざらっとした。
テーブルをさわると、すなでざらっとした。
When I touched the table, it felt gritty with sand.
Literalliteral. Describes a gritty feeling from particles.
猫の舌はざらっとしている。
ねこのしたはざらっとしている。
A cat's tongue feels rough.
Literalliteral. Describes a naturally coarse texture.
この和紙はざらっとした質感が特徴だ。
このわしはざらっとしたしつかんがとくちょうだ。
This Japanese paper is characterized by its coarse texture.
Literalliteral. Focuses on the organic material's characteristics.
スープを飲むと、口の中にざらっとした感触が残った。
スープをのむと、くちのなかにざらっとしたかんしょくがのこった。
When I drank the soup, a gritty sensation remained in my mouth.
Literalliteral. Describes the powdery or gritty texture remaining in the mouth.
壁の表面をなでると、少しざらっとしていた。
かべのひょうめんをなでると、すこしざらっとしていた。
When I stroked the surface of the wall, it felt slightly rough.
Literalliteral. Touching a coarse surface.
Similar Words
ざっくり
zakkuri
Roughly, approximately, or a chunky, loose texture. Relates to coarse weaves or making rough estimations.
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. Used for an ongoing, widespread state of roughness, while zaratto highlights a quick sensation.
Questions
Can I use zaratto for food?
Yes, it is often used for a gritty or powdery texture remaining in the mouth or throat, like unfiltered soup or matcha powder.
How is it different from zarazara?
Zarazara describes an ongoing or widespread state of roughness, whereas zaratto emphasizes the quick or momentary sensation when you touch or taste it.
Can it mean 'roughly' as in 'roughly estimating'?
No, 'zaratto' focuses on physical texture. For rough estimations or overviews, use words like 'zatto' or 'zakkuri'.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2854755
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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