Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Words Kanji Guides About

くすぐったい Japanese meaning | Kotomora

くすぐったい

く

す

ぐ

っ

た

い

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

i-adjective

usually written using kana alone

Describes a physical sensation of being ticklish, or a situation that makes one feel ticklish.

脇わきの下したがくすぐったい。
My armpits are ticklish.
くすぐったくて笑わらってしまった。
It was so ticklish that I laughed.

2

i-adjective

embarrassing; awkward

usually written using kana alone

Used when one feels embarrassed or awkward, often due to excessive praise or attention. Similar to 'it tickles me' in English.

そんなに褒ほめられると、くすぐったいです。
I feel embarrassed when you praise me that much.

Written forms

くすぐったいUsage97%
Usually written in kana. The kanji form 擽ったい is rare.
擽くすぐったいUsage3%
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; the kana spelling is strongly preferred.

Kanji

擽tickle, funny

Similar words

こそばゆい
Also means ticklish or embarrassing, but is less common and slightly more literary than くすぐったい.

Etymology

Derived from the verb くすぐる (to tickle) with the adjectival suffix たい, expressing a sensation. The kanji 擽 is rarely used.