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Japanese Versatility List

Surfaces and wetness

Core words, Stage 4chunk 79 of 79Sound and feeling words

Lets you describe how things look and feel to the touch.

Mix-ups Sarasara is dry-smooth; tsurutsuru is slick or slippery.

pikapika

polite pikapika desu

shiny, spotless; sparkling

For something polished or brand new; often pikapika ni suru (make it spotless).

Pikapika no ichinensei = a brand-new first-grader. Also lights flashing (pikapika hikaru).

casual

kuruma, pikapika ni shita yo.

I got the car sparkling clean.

車、ピカピカにしたよ。

polite

kuruma o pikapika ni shimashita.

I got the car sparkling clean.

車をピカピカにしました。

Written ピカピカ · ぴかぴか · ピカピカですRank #9428 in 3,030 TV dramas

sarasara

polite sarasara desu

silky, smooth; flowing

For hair, sand or skin that's smooth and dry, not sticky.

Also a stream flowing, or writing without effort (sarasara kaku). Opposite of betobeto.

casual

kami, sarasara da ne.

Your hair is so silky.

髪、さらさらだね。

polite

kami ga sarasara desu ne.

Your hair is so silky.

髪がさらさらですね。

Written さらさら · さらさらですRank #14069 in 3,030 TV dramas

bishobisho

polite bishobisho desu

soaking wet, drenched

For clothes, hair or people soaked by rain or a spill.

Bishonure means the same.

casual

ame de bishobisho ni natta.

I got soaked in the rain.

雨でびしょびしょになった。

polite

ame de bishobisho ni narimashita.

I got soaked in the rain.

雨でびしょびしょになりました。

Written びしょびしょ · びしょびしょですRank #24339 in 3,030 TV dramas

tsurutsuru

polite tsurutsuru desu

smooth; slippery

For slick surfaces like an icy road, and very smooth skin.

Also slurping noodles: soba o tsurutsuru taberu.

casual

michi ga tsurutsuru da kara ki o tsukete.

The road is slippery, so be careful.

道がつるつるだから気をつけて。

polite

michi ga tsurutsuru desu kara ki o tsukete kudasai.

The road is slippery, so please be careful.

道がつるつるですから気をつけてください。

Written つるつる · つるつるですRank #25420 in 3,030 TV dramas

betobeto

polite betobeto desu

sticky

For sticky hands, sweaty skin or a greasy table.

Nebaneba is gooey and stringy, like natto; betobeto is unpleasantly sticky.

casual

te ga betobeto da, aratte kuru.

My hands are sticky, I'll go wash them.

手がベトベトだ、洗ってくる。

polite

te ga betobeto na node, aratte kimasu.

My hands are sticky, so I'll go wash them.

手がベトベトなので、洗ってきます。

Written ベトベト · べとべと · ベトベトですRank #34164 in 3,030 TV dramas