あしらい

あしらい
noun
handling; treatment; garnish; accent
communicationabstract
1. handling; treatment; the way one deals with people
The manner in which one receives or deals with another person, especially a customer or guest. Often appears in 客(きゃく)あしらい and 人(ひと)あしらい.
客(きゃく)あしらいがうまい。
She is good at handling customers.
彼女(かのじょ)は人(ひと)あしらいが上手(じょうず)だ。
She is skilled at dealing with people.
店員(てんいん)の丁寧(ていねい)なあしらいに感心(かんしん)した。
I was impressed by the clerk's courteous manner.
2. garnish; decorative accent; arrangement
A small complementary touch added for effect—a garnish on a dish, or a decorative accent in design, dress, or flower arranging.
料理(りょうり)のあしらい。
A garnish for the dish.
皿(さら)に季節(きせつ)のあしらいを添(そ)える。
I add a seasonal garnish to the plate.
着物(きもの)の柄(がら)に、金(きん)のあしらいが効(き)いている。
The gold accents work beautifully in the kimono's pattern.

The noun form of the verb あしらう (to handle; to arrange; to garnish).

Common collocations

  • 客(きゃく)あしらい: the way one handles customers
  • 人(ひと)あしらい: the way one deals with people
  • あしらいを添(そ)える: to add a garnish or accent

Nuance: In sense 1, あしらい can be neutral (skillful handling) or slightly negative when it implies dealing with someone perfunctorily.

general
Added 2026.6.20 9:19 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
29000/29360_ashirai