塊(かたまり)

かたまり
noun
lump, mass, cluster
1. lump, mass, chunk
A solid piece of something, or things grouped tightly together.
肉(にく)の塊(かたまり)を切(き)り分(わ)ける。
Cut up the chunk of meat.
粘土(ねんど)の塊(かたまり)で何(なに)か作(つく)ろう。
Let's make something from this lump of clay.
雪(ゆき)の塊(かたまり)を投(な)げて遊(あそ)んだ。
We played by throwing lumps of snow.
2. embodiment (figurative)
A person who strongly represents a particular quality.
彼(かれ)は正義感(せいぎかん)の塊(かたまり)のような人(ひと)だ。
He is the embodiment of a sense of justice.
彼女(かのじょ)は好奇心(こうきしん)の塊(かたまり)だ。
She is the embodiment of curiosity.
あの子(こ)は元気(げんき)の塊(かたまり)のような子(こ)どもだ。
That child is a bundle of energy.

塊(かたまり) means a solid mass or lump of material. Figuratively, it describes someone who is the embodiment of a particular quality.

LITERAL USAGE:

  • 肉(にく)の塊(かたまり) (chunk of meat)
  • 雪(ゆき)の塊(かたまり) (lump of snow)
  • 粘土(ねんど)の塊(かたまり) (lump of clay)
  • 氷(こおり)の塊(かたまり) (block of ice)
  • 塊(かたまり)になる (to form a lump)

FIGURATIVE USAGE:

〜の塊(かたまり) means "the embodiment of ~" or "a bundle of ~":

  • 正義感(せいぎかん)の塊(かたまり) (the embodiment of justice)
  • 好奇心(こうきしん)の塊(かたまり) (a bundle of curiosity)
  • 元気(げんき)の塊(かたまり) (a bundle of energy)

This figurative use is always positive or neutral, never negative.

ETYMOLOGY:
From the verb 固(かた)まる (to harden, to clump together).

COUNTER:
Counted with つ: 塊(かたまり)一(ひと)つ (one lump).

Related Words

Related: 固(かた)まる (to harden (source verb))
general
Added 2026.1.13 10:47 · Revised 2026.4.7 18:17
03500/03905_katamari