ざらざら

ざらざら is a 擬態語(ぎたいご) (mimetic word) describing a rough, gritty, or sandpaper-like texture. Can describe surfaces, skin, or the sensation when touching something rough.

COMMON PATTERNS:

• ざらざらする: to feel rough
• ざらざらした肌(はだ): rough skin
• ざらざらになる: to become rough
• ざらざらした手触(てざわ)り: rough texture/feel

WHAT IT DESCRIBES:

• 紙(かみ)やすり: sandpaper
• 乾燥(かんそう)した肌(はだ): dry skin
• 砂(すな)っぽい表面(ひょうめん): sandy surface
• 舌触(したざわ)り: rough mouth-feel

SIMILAR WORDS (texture mimetics):

• ごつごつ: rugged, bumpy (larger irregularities)
• かさかさ: dry and rough (especially dry skin)
• つるつる: slippery smooth
• すべすべ: silky smooth (opposite of ざらざら)
• でこぼこ: uneven, bumpy (surface shape)