がりがり

がりがり
adverb, na-adjective, suru verb
crunching; scratching; very thin
1. crunching; scraping
Describes a hard, scratching or crunching sound, like scraping ice or chewing something hard.
(こおり)をがりがり(けず)る。
To scrape the ice with a crunching sound.
(いぬ)がドアをがりがりと()()いている。
The dog is scratching at the door.
2. extremely thin; bony; skinny
Describes a person or animal being unhealthily thin, with bones visible.
ダイエットしすぎてがりがりに()せてしまった。
I dieted too much and became extremely thin.

がりがり has two distinct meanings depending on context.

SOUND MEANING:

  • がりがり(けず)る: to scrape with a scratching sound
  • がりがり()む: to crunch (hard food)

BODY MEANING:

  • がりがりに()せる: to become skin and bones
  • がりがりの(からだ): bony body

CONTRAST:

  • ぽりぽり: light crunching (less harsh)
  • ばりばり: energetic crunching