Translation guide
Describes the soft, light sound of leaves, paper, or fabric moving. Japanese uses onomatopoeia and specific verbs depending on the material and context.
The soft sound of leaves or branches moving in the wind.
Onomatopoeia for a light, dry rustling sound, like leaves or sand. Often used with と and a verb like 音がする or 鳴る.
風で木の葉がさらさらと音を立てている。
The leaves are rustling in the wind.
Verb meaning to sway or rustle gently in the wind, used for leaves, grass, or branches.
木の葉が風にそよいでいる。
The leaves are rustling in the breeze.
Onomatopoeia for a louder, more restless rustling, like many leaves or a crowd murmuring.
森の中がざわざわと騒がしい。
The forest is rustling noisily.
The crinkling sound of paper, clothes, or plastic being moved.
Onomatopoeia for a dry, light rustling or crinkling sound, like paper or dry leaves.
紙がかさかさと音を立てる。
The paper rustles.
Onomatopoeia for a rougher, louder rustling, like crumpling paper or rummaging through a bag.
Verb meaning to rub or chafe, producing a rustling sound when fabric rubs against itself.
The sound of a small animal moving through leaves or undergrowth.
Onomatopoeia for a rustling or scurrying sound, often used for small animals in bushes.
茂みの中で何かががさごそ動いた。
Something rustled in the bushes.
Similar to がさごそ but lighter, for a tiny rustling sound.
ネズミがかさこそと動き回る。
A mouse rustles around.
To move something so that it makes a rustling sound.
Causative form of the onomatopoeia, meaning to make something rustle.
彼は紙をかさかささせた。
He rustled the paper.
Causative form for a louder rustling action.
子どもがお菓子の袋をがさがささせている。
The child is rustling the snack bag.
Japanese often uses onomatopoeia like さらさら or かさかさ with the particle と and a verb like 音がする (to make a sound) or 鳴る (to sound). The verb そよぐ is a non-onomatopoeic option for leaves rustling in the wind.
かさかさ is lighter and drier, like thin paper or dry leaves. がさがさ is rougher and louder, like crumpling thick paper or plastic. Use かさかさ for delicate rustling and がさがさ for more vigorous rustling.
袋の中をがさがさ探る。
Rustle around in the bag.
ナイロンの服がこすれて音がする。
The nylon clothes rustle when they rub together.