所狭(ところせま)し

ところせまし
expression
crammed; filling every inch
quantitydescriptive
1. crammed; packed; filling every inch of the space
Used almost only as 所狭(ところせま)しと, describing things laid out or people moving so that the whole space seems too small. A classical adjective (狭(せま)し = 狭(せま)い) kept in a fixed phrase.
商品(しょうひん)が所狭(ところせま)しと並(なら)ぶ。
Goods are lined up, filling every inch.
部屋(へや)には本(ほん)が所狭(ところせま)しと積(つ)まれていた。
Books were piled up all over the room.
子(こ)どもたちが広(ひろ)い公園(こうえん)を所狭(ところせま)しと走(はし)り回(まわ)っている。
The children are running all over the big park as if it were too small for them.

Forms

Almost always 所狭(ところせま)しと + verb: 並(なら)ぶ, 置(お)かれる, 飾(かざ)られる, 走(はし)り回(まわ)る.

Usage

The literal sense is "the place is narrow." Used for a space packed with things, and for energetic movement across a space, as in a dancer moving 所狭(ところせま)しと across a stage.

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: ぎっしり (tightly packed)
Compare: びっしり (densely covering a surface)
general
Added 2026.10.12 22:42 · Revised 2026.10.12 22:46
31500/31946_tokorosemashi