荒(あら)い

あらい
adjective (i-adjective)
rough; wild; violent; rude
1. rough; wild; violent
Characterized by intensity, force, or lack of gentleness.
波(なみ)が荒(あら)い日(ひ)は泳(およ)がないでください。
Please don't swim on days when the waves are rough.
彼(かれ)は気性(きしょう)が荒(あら)い。
He has a violent temper.
荒(あら)い風(かぜ)が吹(ふ)いている。
A wild wind is blowing.
2. rude; harsh; rough (manner)
Lacking politeness or gentleness in behavior or speech.
言葉(ことば)が荒(あら)いと相手(あいて)を傷(きず)つける。
Harsh words hurt others.
荒(あら)い運転(うんてん)は危険(きけん)だ。
Rough driving is dangerous.
客(きゃく)への扱(あつか)いが荒(あら)い店員(てんいん)がいた。
There was a clerk who treated customers roughly.
3. heavy; excessive (consumption)
Describing excessive use of money, food, etc.
金遣(かねづか)いが荒(あら)い。
To spend money recklessly.
水道(すいどう)の使(つか)い方(かた)が荒(あら)い。
The way you use water is wasteful.
荒(あら)い食(た)べ方(かた)をしないでください。
Please don't eat so excessively.

荒(あら)い is an i-adjective describing roughness, wildness, or intensity.

FORMS:

  • Adverbial: 荒(あら)く
  • Noun form: 荒(あら)さ (roughness)

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 波(なみ)が荒(あら)い (rough waves)
  • 気性(きしょう)が荒(あら)い (violent temper)
  • 金遣(かねづか)いが荒(あら)い (spendthrift)
  • 息(いき)が荒(あら)い (breathing heavily)
  • 言葉(ことば)が荒(あら)い (harsh words)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 荒(あら)い vs. 粗(あら)い: Both read あらい, but 荒(あら)い refers to intensity/behavior (rough, wild), while 粗(あら)い refers to texture/quality (coarse, crude).

Register: Neutral. Can describe natural phenomena, personality, or behavior.

Related Words

Contrast: 粗(あら)い (coarse, crude (different kanji))
general
Added 2026.1.13 15:25 · Revised 2026.2.19 23:52
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