ぐしゃぐしゃ

ぐしゃぐしゃ
adverb, onomatopoeia
crumpled; crushed; soggy mess
descriptive
1. crumpled; crushed; in a wrinkled mess
Describes paper, fabric, or other pliable items that have been crushed, wrinkled, or wadded up into a disordered shape. Often used with する or なる.
紙(かみ)をぐしゃぐしゃに丸(まる)めた。
I crumpled the paper into a ball.
鞄(かばん)の中(なか)でシャツがぐしゃぐしゃになっていた。
The shirt was all wrinkled up inside the bag.
慌(あわ)てて書類(しょるい)を詰(つ)め込(こ)んだので、すべてぐしゃぐしゃになってしまった。
I stuffed the documents in a hurry, so they all ended up crumpled.
2. sopping wet; soggy and falling apart
Describes something soaked through and reduced to a wet, mushy state — clothes drenched in rain, food fallen apart in liquid.
雨(あめ)で髪(かみ)がぐしゃぐしゃになった。
My hair got soaked and messy from the rain.
踏(ふ)まれた果物(くだもの)はぐしゃぐしゃに潰(つぶ)れていた。
The trampled fruit had been crushed into a mush.
泣(な)きすぎて顔(かお)がぐしゃぐしゃになった。
I cried so much that my face was a tear-soaked mess.

An onomatopoeia for things being crushed, wadded, or reduced to a soft messy state. The voiced ぐ〜 conveys heaviness and unpleasantness; the unvoiced くしゃくしゃ feels lighter.

Common patterns

  • ぐしゃぐしゃにする: to crush/crumple something
  • ぐしゃぐしゃになる: to end up crumpled/messy
  • ぐしゃぐしゃと: adverbially with a verb

Similar words

  • くしゃくしゃ: lighter, more for paper/fabric crumpling; less wet or violent
  • どろどろ: muddy/gooey; emphasizes liquid consistency
  • べちゃべちゃ: wet and sticky; emphasizes wetness more than crushing

Related Words

Compare: どろどろ (muddy/gooey)
Compare: べちゃべちゃ (wet and sticky)
Compare: ぼさぼさ (messy)
Compare: ぐちゃぐちゃ (messy)
general
Added 2026.6.5 11:07 · Revised 2026.9.30 14:51
28500/28754_gushagusha