Translation guide
The English word "rough" covers many meanings, from physical texture to approximate estimates, difficult situations, and casual behavior. This guide breaks down the most useful Japanese equivalents for each sense.
Describing a surface that is uneven, coarse, or not smooth to the touch.
General word for coarse or rough texture, often used for surfaces, skin, or granular substances.
この紙は表面が粗い。
This paper has a rough surface.
彼の手は荒れて粗い。
His hands are chapped and rough.
Onomatopoeic word emphasizing a gritty, rough texture, like sandpaper or dry skin.
この机はざらざらしている。
This desk feels rough.
Describes a bumpy, rugged, or uneven surface, like rocks or rough terrain.
山道はごつごつしていて歩きにくい。
The mountain path is rough and hard to walk on.
Describing physical actions or handling that are forceful, harsh, or lacking care.
Means rough, violent, or reckless. Often used for behavior, handling objects, or speech.
彼は荷物を乱暴に扱った。
He handled the luggage roughly.
乱暴な言葉遣いはやめてください。
Please stop using rough language.
Can also mean rough in the sense of violent or intense, e.g., rough waves, rough breathing, or rough treatment.
Specifically means rough or violent in handling, often used for physical treatment.
Giving a rough estimate, outline, or general idea without precise details.
Means rough, approximate, or broad. Commonly used for estimates, plans, or descriptions.
大まかな見積もりを出してください。
Please give me a rough estimate.
大まかな計画はもうできている。
I already have a rough plan.
Adverb meaning roughly, approximately. Often used with numbers or quantities.
Adverb meaning roughly, briefly, or in a cursory manner. Often used when skimming or summarizing.
ざっと目を通した。
I took a rough look through it.
Can also mean rough in the sense of coarse or not detailed, e.g., a rough sketch or rough classification.
Describing a situation, period, or experience that is hard, tough, or full of hardship.
Means tough, hard, or terrible. Very common for describing difficult situations.
今日は仕事が大変だった。
I had a rough day at work.
彼は大変な時期を過ごしている。
He is going through a rough time.
Means painful, hard, or tough, often emotionally or physically draining.
Means tough, demanding, or severe. Often used for physically or mentally demanding situations.
Describing a person or their behavior as lacking polish, sophistication, or refinement.
Means rough, crude, or boorish. Often used for manners or personality.
彼は粗野な態度をとった。
He had a rough manner.
Describes someone who is rough, coarse, or insensitive in behavior or personality.
彼はがさつな人だ。
He is a rough person.
Means rough, wild, or lacking delicacy. Can describe behavior, speech, or methods.
Describing something that is in an early, incomplete, or unpolished state.
Means rough draft or preliminary sketch. Used for documents, drawings, etc.
まず下書きを書いてください。
Please write a rough draft first.
Literally 'roughly hewn', meaning unpolished, crude, or rough around the edges. Can describe a person or work.
Describing stormy, turbulent, or dangerous weather or sea.
Verb meaning to become rough, stormy, or wild. Used for weather, sea, or even a person's mood.
明日は天気が荒れるでしょう。
The weather will be rough tomorrow.
海が荒れている。
The sea is rough.
Specifically means a stormy sea or rough sea conditions, often used in fishing or maritime contexts.
Both are read as あらい but have different kanji and nuances. 粗い refers to coarse texture or rough quality (e.g., rough surface, rough estimate). 荒い refers to violent, intense, or wild actions/states (e.g., rough sea, rough breathing, rough behavior). However, in some contexts they overlap, and 粗い is sometimes used for rough handling as well.
The phrase 'rough time' should not be translated literally as 荒い時間. Use expressions like 大変な時期 (taihen na jiki) or 辛い時期 (tsurai jiki) to convey hardship.
今日は大変な一日だった。
I had a rough day.
今日は海が荒れている。
The sea is rough today.
大まかな見積もりをください。
Give me a rough estimate.
The sea is rough, so we can't swim today.
彼は運転が荒い。
His driving is rough.
手荒い扱いを受けた。
I was treated roughly.
おおよその数を見積もる。
Estimate a rough number.
おおよそ100人が集まった。
Roughly 100 people gathered.
ざっと計算すると、約50万円だ。
Roughly calculated, it's about 500,000 yen.
It's a rough classification, but is this okay?
It was a rough experience.
Today's practice was rough.
荒っぽい言葉を使う。
Use rough language.
粗削りだが、才能を感じる。
It's rough, but I can sense talent.
We can't go fishing because of the rough sea.