Translation guide
Describes tightly curled or coiled hair texture. In Japanese, the most common and neutral term is 縮れ毛 (ちぢれげ), but other expressions exist depending on context, formality, and nuance.
To describe hair that is naturally very curly or tightly coiled, without negative or positive connotation.
The most common and neutral term for kinky or tightly curled hair. Can be used for any hair type with tight curls.
彼女は縮れ毛が特徴的だ。
Her kinky hair is distinctive.
A slightly more colloquial or affectionate variant of 縮れ毛. Often used in casual conversation.
うちの子は縮れっ毛で、かわいい。
My child has kinky hair and it's cute.
A more technical or written term for curled or kinky hair. Often used in product descriptions or medical contexts.
縮毛用のシャンプーを探しています。
I'm looking for shampoo for kinky hair.
To refer to the tightly coiled hair texture typical of many people of African descent, often with cultural sensitivity.
Commonly used to refer to an afro hairstyle or afro-textured hair. Can be neutral but sometimes carries stylistic connotations.
彼はアフロヘアがよく似合う。
He looks great with his afro hair.
A more descriptive and respectful phrase meaning 'African-type hair texture'. Suitable for formal or educational contexts.
アフリカ系の髪質に合う製品を開発しています。
We are developing products suitable for African-textured hair.
To express frustration or difficulty with kinky hair, often implying it is unruly or hard to style.
General term for unruly, wavy, or curly hair that is hard to manage. Often used for kinky hair in a negative or complaining context.
くせ毛でまとまらない。
My kinky hair won't stay in place.
Literally 'hair with strong kinks/waves'. A more descriptive way to emphasize the tightness of the curl pattern.
強い癖のある髪をストレートにするのは大変だ。
It's tough to straighten kinky hair.
The English word 'kinky' can have sexual connotations, but the Japanese terms for hair texture do not carry that meaning. Do not use 変態 (へんたい) or similar words to describe hair.
When describing someone's hair, it's often safer to use neutral terms like 縮れ毛 or descriptive phrases. Avoid assuming ethnicity based on hair texture.
Literally 'natural perm', a colloquial term sometimes used for very curly or kinky hair, but can be seen as insensitive or inaccurate. Use with caution.
May be considered dismissive or outdated when referring to afro-textured hair. Better to use more specific terms.
彼は天然パーマだから、湿気で広がりやすい。
He has naturally curly hair, so it frizzes easily in humidity.