Translation guide
How to express that something is rough in texture, behavior, or condition in Japanese.
Describing a surface that is not smooth, such as sandpaper, skin, or fabric.
An onomatopoeic word for a rough, gritty, or granular texture. Commonly used for surfaces like sandpaper, unpolished wood, or dry skin.
この紙はざらざらしている。
This paper is rough.
手が荒れてざらざらだ。
My hands are rough and chapped.
Means coarse or rough in texture, often used for materials like sand, cloth, or mesh. Can also describe rough quality or crude workmanship.
この布は目が粗い。
This cloth has a rough weave.
粗い紙やすりで磨く。
Polish it with rough sandpaper.
Describes a hard, bumpy, or rugged surface, like a rocky path or rough hands from manual labor.
この道はごつごつしていて歩きにくい。
This road is rough and hard to walk on.
Means uneven or bumpy, often for roads or surfaces with dips and bumps. Less about texture and more about irregular shape.
でこぼこの道を直してください。
Please fix the rough (bumpy) road.
Describing a person who is rude, violent, or lacking gentleness.
Means rough, violent, or reckless in behavior. Often used for physical roughness or harsh treatment.
彼は言葉遣いが乱暴だ。
He uses rough language.
乱暴に扱わないでください。
Please don't handle it roughly.
Describes rough, crude, or wild behavior. Can be used for a person's manner or actions.
Specifically means rough-handed or using physical force. Often used for rough treatment or handling.
Describing something that is not in good condition, such as rough seas, rough weather, or a rough draft.
An intransitive verb meaning to become rough, stormy, or wild. Used for weather, sea, or a person's skin condition.
海が荒れている。
The sea is rough.
天気が荒れるかもしれない。
The weather might get rough.
An adjective meaning rough, wild, or intense. Can describe waves, breathing, or a rough estimate.
Means rough, approximate, or not detailed. Often used for estimates, plans, or a person's careless nature.
Describing a voice or sound that is not smooth, such as a raspy voice or grating noise.
A hoarse or raspy voice, often due to a cold, shouting, or age.
風邪で声がしわがれている。
My voice is rough from a cold.
Onomatopoeia for a rattling or rasping sound. Can describe a rough voice or a noisy engine.
ざらざら is an onomatopoeic word that vividly describes a gritty or granular feel, like sandpaper. 粗い is more about coarseness of material or weave, and can also imply low quality. Use ざらざら for tactile roughness and 粗い for structural coarseness.
English 'rough' can mean violent or rude, but directly translating to 粗い for behavior is unnatural. Use 乱暴 or 荒っぽい instead. 粗い is mainly for texture or quality.
彼の運転は荒っぽい。
His driving is rough.
荒っぽい遊び方は危ない。
Rough play is dangerous.
手荒い歓迎を受けた。
We received a rough welcome.
On days when the waves are rough, you can't swim.
荒い計算だけど、だいたい合ってる。
It's a rough calculation, but it's about right.
大ざっぱな見積もりを出してください。
Please give me a rough estimate.
彼は大ざっぱな性格だ。
He has a rough-and-ready personality.
彼のがらがら声が聞こえた。
I heard his rough voice.