Translation guide
How to express 'wrinkle' in Japanese, covering skin wrinkles, fabric creases, and related actions.
A line or crease on the skin, especially from aging.
The most common word for wrinkles on skin, fabric, or paper. Can be used for both fine lines and deep creases.
I've started getting wrinkles around my eyes.
このクリームはしわに効きます。
This cream works on wrinkles.
Fine lines or small wrinkles, often used in cosmetics.
小じわを目立たなくする化粧品。
Cosmetics that make fine lines less noticeable.
An unwanted fold or crease in cloth, paper, or similar material.
Same word as for skin wrinkles. Context makes the meaning clear.
シャツのしわを伸ばしてください。
Please iron out the wrinkles in the shirt.
紙にしわが寄っている。
The paper is wrinkled.
A crease or fold line, often intentional (like in origami) but can refer to unwanted creases.
The action of something developing wrinkles.
Intransitive phrase meaning 'to become wrinkled'. Used for skin, fabric, etc.
この布は洗うとしわになりやすい。
This fabric wrinkles easily when washed.
Literally 'wrinkles gather', a common way to say something gets wrinkled.
スーツにしわが寄っている。
The suit is wrinkled.
The action of making something wrinkled.
Transitive phrase meaning 'to wrinkle something'.
紙をしわにしないでください。
Please don't wrinkle the paper.
Literally 'to gather wrinkles', used for causing wrinkles on a surface.
彼は眉間にしわを寄せた。
He furrowed his brow (wrinkled between his eyebrows).
A minor difficulty or unexpected issue in a plan.
General word for 'problem'. In context, can convey the idea of a 'wrinkle' in a plan.
計画にちょっとした問題が起きた。
A small wrinkle came up in the plan.
Obstacle or hindrance, slightly more formal.
しわ is a general wrinkle or crease, often unwanted. 折り目 is a deliberate fold or crease line, like in origami or a pressed crease in trousers. However, 折り目 can also refer to an accidental crease.
ズボンの折り目をきれいにつける。
To put a sharp crease in trousers.
折り目がついてしまった。
It got a crease in it.
予期せぬ障害が発生した。
An unexpected wrinkle occurred.