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B1 adjective 10 Min. Lesezeit

粗い

arai

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Erklärung 粗い in your Level:

At the A1 level, you likely won't use '粗い' (arai) very often, as it is a more descriptive word than basic terms like 'big,' 'small,' or 'good.' However, you might encounter it in very simple contexts related to food or physical objects. For an absolute beginner, 'arai' is most easily understood as 'not smooth.' Imagine you are touching a rock or a piece of wood that hasn't been sanded down. That feeling is 'arai.' You might also see it on food packaging, especially for black pepper or coffee, where it means 'big pieces' (coarse) instead of 'fine powder.' At this stage, just try to remember that 'arai' is an i-adjective, meaning it ends in 'i' and can be used to describe things directly, like 'arai suna' (coarse sand). You don't need to worry about the abstract meanings like 'crude work' yet. Focus on the physical sensation of something being rough or grainy.

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By the A2 level, you can start using '粗い' (arai) to describe textures and simple physical properties more accurately. You might use it when talking about clothes—for example, a sweater with a 'loose' or 'coarse' knit that isn't very warm. You can also use its adverbial form 'araku' in basic cooking instructions, such as 'araku kiru' (cut into big/coarse pieces). This is very useful when you want to be more specific than just saying 'big.' At this level, it's also important to start noticing the difference between 'arai' and 'zara-zara' (an onomatopoeia for sandy/rough). While 'arai' is a formal adjective, 'zara-zara' is what people often say in casual conversation to describe the feeling of sand on their skin. Learning 'arai' helps you move toward more 'adult' sounding Japanese, as you transition from simple sounds to proper adjectives. You might also start to hear 'iki ga arai' (heavy breathing) in stories or anime, which is a good phrase to recognize.

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At the B1 level, where '粗い' (arai) is officially categorized, you should be comfortable using it in both physical and abstract contexts. This is the stage where you begin to use it to critique quality. For example, you can describe a 'rough draft' of an essay as being 'arai,' or note that a digital photo looks 'grainy' (gazō ga arai) when it's zoomed in too much. You should also be very careful to distinguish between 粗い (coarse/crude) and its homophone 荒い (wild/violent). At B1, you are expected to use the correct kanji in writing. You will encounter 'arai' in work settings, where a boss might ask for a 'rough estimate' (arai mitsumori) or tell you that your logic is a bit 'arai' (crude/lacking detail). Understanding that 'arai' implies 'gaps'—whether physical or logical—is the key to using it naturally at this intermediate level. You should also be able to conjugate it into all its forms (arai, araku, aratta, araku nai) without hesitation.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use '粗い' (arai) to discuss more complex topics like craftsmanship, technical specifications, and nuanced human behavior. You might use it to describe a player's style in sports—someone who has great power but 'arai' (unrefined) technique. In a professional or academic setting, you can use it to describe the 'granularity' of data or the 'coarseness' of a mesh in a scientific experiment. You will also understand its use in literature or high-level journalism to describe a 'crude' lifestyle or 'rough' treatment of a subject. At this level, you should be able to explain the difference between 'arai' and its synonyms like 'zatsu' (sloppy) or 'somatsu' (crude/poor quality) in Japanese. You'll recognize that while 'arai' can be a criticism, it can also be a neutral technical term. Your ability to use 'arai' in compound words or specific collocations like 'arai-me' (coarse mesh) or 'arai-kezuri' (rough-hewing) will show a high level of linguistic competence.

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For C1 learners, '粗い' (arai) is a word you use with total precision and awareness of its stylistic impact. You can use it to describe the 'texture' of a piece of literature or the 'crude' nature of a political argument. You might analyze how an artist uses 'arai' brushwork to convey raw emotion, or how a director uses 'arai' film grain to create a vintage atmosphere. At this level, you are likely using 'arai' in professional critiques, perhaps discussing the 'coarse granularity' of a market analysis or the 'crude' implementation of a software algorithm. You are also fully aware of the historical and etymological roots of the word, and how it relates to other words using the 'rice' (米) radical. You can effortlessly switch between 'arai' and more formal Sino-Japanese (kango) equivalents like 'so-ya' (粗野 - rustic/crude) or 'so-aku' (粗悪 - inferior quality) depending on the required register. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker's in its nuance and appropriateness.

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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of '粗い' (arai) and its place in the vast tapestry of the Japanese language. You can appreciate its use in classical-style proverbs or modern idiomatic expressions. You might use it in a philosophical discussion about the 'coarseness' of human perception versus the 'fineness' of reality. You understand the subtle poetic weight the word can carry in haiku or modern poetry, where the 'coarseness' of a physical object might mirror the 'roughness' of a character's soul. You are a master of the homophones and can play with the ambiguity between 粗い and 荒い for rhetorical effect. Your command of the word extends to the most technical of fields—be it metallurgy, digital signal processing, or advanced linguistics—where 'arai' is used as a precise term for scale and resolution. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a tool for sophisticated expression, used with an innate sense of timing, tone, and cultural context.

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粗い in 30 Sekunden

粗い (arai) means 'rough' or 'coarse' in terms of texture, size of grains, or lack of detail in work.
It is an i-adjective used for physical things like sand and cloth, or abstract things like plans and logic.
Common collocations include 'iki ga arai' (heavy breathing) and 'gashitsu ga arai' (grainy image quality).
Do not confuse it with 荒い (arai), which means 'wild' or 'violent' behavior/nature.

The Japanese adjective 粗い (arai) is a versatile word primarily used to describe things that lack fineness, precision, or smoothness. At its most basic level, it refers to physical textures that are coarse to the touch, such as sandpaper or a loosely woven fabric. However, its utility extends far beyond the tactile world, moving into the realms of craftsmanship, planning, and even physiological states like breathing. When you encounter arai, you should immediately think of 'gaps' or 'large particles'—whether those gaps are physical spaces between threads or metaphorical gaps in a logical argument.

Physical Texture: Used for surfaces that are not smooth. For example, the skin of a shark or the surface of a stone wall. It implies a sensory experience of friction or unevenness.
Density and Spacing: Describes things with large gaps, such as a net with large holes (mesh) or a sieve that lets large particles through. It is the opposite of 'fine' or 'dense'.
Precision and Quality: Applied to work, plans, or logic that is crude or lacks detail. If a carpenter makes a table with visible gaps in the joints, the work is 'arai'. If a business plan ignores small details, the plan is 'arai'.

このセーターは網目が粗いので、風を通しやすいです。(Kono sētā wa amime ga arai node, kaze o tōshiyasui desu.)

Translation: This sweater has a coarse knit, so it lets the wind through easily.

Understanding the nuance of 粗い requires distinguishing it from its homophone 荒い. While both are pronounced 'arai', the latter refers to wildness, violence, or intensity (like rough waves or a rough temper). 粗い is strictly about the lack of fineness or the presence of coarseness. In a professional context, describing someone's work as 'arai' is a critique of their attention to detail, suggesting that while the main structure might be there, the finishing touches are neglected. In cooking, it might describe '粗挽き' (arabiki) or coarsely ground black pepper, which provides a stronger punch of flavor than fine powder.

彼は仕事が粗いが、スピードは速い。(Kare wa shigoto ga arai ga, supīdo wa hayai.)

Translation: His work is crude/careless, but he is fast.

Visualizing Arai: Imagine a sieve. If the holes are big, it is 'arai'. Imagine a drawing made with a thick marker instead of a fine-point pen; the lines are 'arai'. Imagine a person breathing heavily after a run; the breath is 'arai' because it is not smooth and rhythmic.

In summary, 粗い is a word that captures the essence of being 'unrefined.' It is a neutral descriptor when talking about sandpaper or coffee grounds, but it becomes a mild criticism when applied to craftsmanship or intellectual output. Mastering this word allows you to describe the texture of the world around you with much greater precision, ironically by using a word that means 'lack of precision.'

Using 粗い (arai) correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as an i-adjective and its various semantic applications. As an i-adjective, it can directly modify nouns or function as a predicate. Because it describes physical properties as well as abstract qualities, the context is vital for determining the exact translation—whether it should be 'rough,' 'coarse,' 'crude,' or 'loose.'

Modifying Nouns: Place it directly before the noun: 粗い布 (arai nuno - coarse cloth), 粗い粒子 (arai ryūshi - coarse particles). This is the most straightforward usage.
As a Predicate: Ending a sentence: 手触りが粗い (tezawari ga arai - the feel is rough). Note that in polite speech, you add 'desu': 粗いです (arai desu).
Adverbial Form: Change the final 'i' to 'ku' to modify verbs: 粗く削る (araku kezuru - to shave/sand down roughly), 粗く切る (araku kiru - to chop coarsely).

野菜を粗く刻んでスープに入れました。(Yasai o araku kizante sūpu ni iremashita.)

Translation: I chopped the vegetables coarsely and put them in the soup.

When describing human behavior or work quality, 粗い often takes a negative connotation. If someone says 'your logic is arai' (論理が粗い), they mean you have skipped steps or your argument has holes. In sports, 'play ga arai' (プレーが粗い) suggests that while the player might be powerful, they lack technique or make many unforced errors. This usage is very common in professional feedback and sports commentary.

この計画はまだ粗い段階です。(Kono keikaku wa mada arai dankai desu.)

Translation: This plan is still in a crude/rough stage.

Another specific but frequent use is describing breath: 息が粗い (iki ga arai). This doesn't mean the air is coarse, but rather that the breathing is heavy, labored, or panting. You might hear this in a medical context, after someone has exercised, or when someone is very angry. It conveys a sense of irregularity and lack of calm. Understanding these specific collocations is the key to sounding like a natural speaker.

You will encounter 粗い (arai) in a surprisingly wide variety of daily and professional situations. From the kitchen to the construction site, and from the art studio to the corporate boardroom, this word is a staple of the Japanese descriptive vocabulary. Its frequency in media—especially in cooking shows and sports broadcasts—makes it an essential word for B1-level learners to master.

In the Kitchen: Recipes often call for '粗みじん切り' (aramijingiri - coarse mince) or '粗挽き' (arabiki - coarse grind). If you are buying sausages or black pepper, you will see '粗挽き' written prominently on the packaging to indicate a rustic, chunky texture.
Art and Design: When talking about digital images, if the resolution is low and the pixels are visible, a Japanese person might say '画像が粗い' (gazō ga arai). Similarly, in painting, 'arai' describes bold, unrefined brushstrokes.
Sports and Physicality: Commentators use it to describe a player's performance. A baseball pitcher with a '粗い投球' (arai tōkyū) might have a powerful fastball but poor control. It suggests raw talent that hasn't been polished yet.

この写真、拡大しすぎて画質が粗いね。(Kono shashin, kakudai shisugite gashitsu ga arai ne.)

Translation: This photo is zoomed in too much, so the image quality is grainy/coarse.

In business meetings, you might hear it during the early stages of a project. A manager might say, '粗い見積もりでいいから、今日中に送って' (Arai mitsumori de ii kara, kyōjū ni okutte), which means 'A rough estimate is fine, just send it by the end of the day.' Here, 'arai' is used positively to mean 'preliminary' or 'not needing to be perfect yet.' It allows for speed over precision.

彼は息を粗くして走ってきた。(Kare wa iki o araku shite hashitte kita.)

Translation: He came running, breathing heavily (with coarse breath).

Finally, in nature, it describes soil or sand. '粗い砂' (arai suna) is coarse sand, the kind that doesn't stick together well. If you are gardening or at the beach, this is the word you'll use to describe the grit under your feet. It's a fundamental word for describing the material world.

The most common mistake when using 粗い (arai) is confusing it with its homophone 荒い (arai). Since they sound exactly the same, the error occurs in writing (kanji selection) or in understanding the nuance of the context. While both words relate to a lack of 'gentleness' or 'fineness,' they are used in very different scenarios.

粗い vs. 荒い: Use 粗い for texture, density, and precision (coarse, crude). Use 荒い for behavior, nature, and intensity (wild, violent, rough). For example, 'rough waves' is 荒い波, but 'coarse sand' is 粗い砂.
Misusing 'Arai' for 'Zatsu': While 'arai' can mean crude work, 'zatsu' (雑) is more common for 'sloppy' or 'careless.' 'Arai' implies a lack of detail in the structure, whereas 'zatsu' implies a lack of care or effort. Don't call someone's messy room 'arai'; call it 'zatsu'.
Confusing with 'Hidoi': Students sometimes use 'arai' to mean 'bad quality' in general. 'Arai' is a specific type of poor quality (low resolution or crude finish). If something is just 'terrible,' use 'hidoi' (ひどい).

❌ 彼は金遣いが粗い。
✅ 彼は金遣いが荒い。

Note: Spending money wildly/recklessly uses '荒い', not '粗い'.

Another subtle mistake is using 'arai' to describe a person's personality. If you want to say someone is 'rough' or 'tough' in personality, 'arai' (either kanji) is usually not the first choice. For a rough personality, 'arappoi' (荒っぽい) or 'ranbō' (乱暴) are more natural. Using 'arai' might make it sound like their skin is physically rough rather than their temperament being difficult.

❌ この布は荒いです。
✅ この布は粗いです。

Note: For physical texture like cloth, always use the 'rice' radical kanji 粗.

Lastly, be careful with the adverbial form 'araku'. While it means 'coarsely,' it cannot be used for all 'rough' actions. If you 'treat someone roughly,' you use 'arappoku' or 'zatsu ni,' not 'araku.' 'Araku' is strictly for the physical result of an action, like cutting or grinding.

To truly master 粗い (arai), you must see how it sits within a family of related words. Japanese has many ways to describe 'roughness' or 'imprecision,' and choosing the right one will make you sound much more sophisticated. Below is a comparison of arai with its closest synonyms and related terms.

粗い (Arai) vs. 雑 (Zatsu): 'Arai' refers to the texture or the scale of the work (coarse/large gaps). 'Zatsu' refers to the care put into the work (sloppy/careless). A plan can be 'arai' (rough outline) without being 'zatsu' (careless).
粗い (Arai) vs. 荒い (Arai): As mentioned, these are homophones. '粗い' is for texture/precision. '荒い' is for intensity/violence. Remember: 粗い砂 (coarse sand) vs 荒い波 (rough waves).
粗い (Arai) vs. 大まか (Ōmaka): 'Ōmaka' is a more positive or neutral way to say 'rough' or 'broad' in terms of explanation or estimation. If you give a 'rough summary,' 'ōmaka' sounds like you are summarizing well, while 'arai' sounds like you are missing important details.

彼は大まかな説明をした。(Kare wa ōmaka na setsumei o shita.)

Comparison: This suggests a 'broad' and helpful summary, whereas 'arai' would suggest the summary was crude.

Other useful alternatives include ざらざら (zara-zara), which is an onomatopoeia for a physically rough, sandy texture. If you touch a wall and it feels like sandpaper, 'zara-zara' is more descriptive than 'arai.' For bumpy surfaces like a mountain road, でこぼこ (deko-boko) is the preferred term. If you want to describe a 'crude' or 'primitive' object, 粗末 (somatsu) might be better, though it often implies something is cheap or poor-quality.

道がでこぼこしていて走りにくい。(Michi ga dekoboko shite ite hashirinikui.)

Note: Use 'dekoboko' for physical bumps on a road rather than 'arai'.

By learning these distinctions, you can avoid the 'beginner's trap' of using one word for everything. 'Arai' is your go-to for 'coarse' or 'crude,' but keep 'ōmaka' for summaries and 'zara-zara' for tactile sensations to truly sound like a native.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The kanji 粗 contains the radical for 'rice' (米). This is because the quality of rice was often judged by how 'fine' or 'coarse' it was after processing. 'Arai' rice was less processed or lower quality.

Aussprachehilfe

UK əˈraɪ

US ɑˈraɪ

The pitch usually starts low on 'a' and rises on 'ra', then stays or slightly drops on 'i' (Heiban/Flat or Nakadaka/Middle-high pattern depending on dialect).

Reimt sich auf

Karai (spicy) Tarai (basin) Warai (laughter) Harai (payment) Kirai (hate) Mirai (future) Turai (painful) Nurai (slimy - less common)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'r' like an English 'r' (keep it as a tongue flick).
Making the 'i' too long like a diphthong.
Confusing the pitch accent with 'arai' (to wash), though they are often similar.
Failing to distinguish from 'arai' (wild) in written form.
Using the 'r' sound too strongly like a Spanish 'r'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

The kanji 粗 is common but often confused with 荒. Context is key for reading correctly.

Schreiben 4/5

Writing the 'rice' radical correctly and distinguishing it from 'wild' requires practice.

Sprechen 2/5

Easy to pronounce, but requires knowing specific collocations like 'iki ga arai'.

Hören 4/5

Difficult to distinguish from 'arai' (wild) without clear context.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

大きい (okii) 細かい (komakai) 布 (nuno) 砂 (suna) 仕事 (shigoto)

Als Nächstes lernen

荒い (arai - wild) 雑 (zatsu - sloppy) 緻密 (chimitsu - precise) 粗末 (somatsu - crude/shabby) 大まか (ōmaka - broad)

Fortgeschritten

粗野 (soya) 粗悪 (soaku) 粗略 (soryaku) 粒度 (ryūdo) 解像度 (kaizōdo)

Wichtige Grammatik

I-Adjective Conjugation

粗い -> 粗くない (Not rough), 粗かった (Was rough), 粗ければ (If it's rough)

Adverbial 'Ku' form

粗く削る (To shave roughly)

Noun-forming 'Sa' suffix

粗さ (The degree of roughness/coarseness)

Direct Noun Modification

粗い布 (Coarse cloth)

Te-form for connecting adjectives

粗くて、使いにくい (It's rough and hard to use)

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Beispiele nach Niveau

この砂は粗いです。

This sand is coarse.

Simple i-adjective predicate use.

粗い布を使います。

I use coarse cloth.

Adjective modifying a noun directly.

コーヒーを粗く挽きます。

I grind the coffee coarsely.

Adverbial form 'araku' modifying a verb.

網目が粗いですね。

The mesh is coarse, isn't it?

Using 'ne' for agreement.

表面が少し粗いです。

The surface is a little rough.

Using 'sukoshi' (a little) as a modifier.

粗い砂糖がありますか？

Do you have coarse sugar?

Question form with 'ka'.

この紙は粗くないです。

This paper is not rough.

Negative form 'araku nai'.

粗い石を見つけました。

I found a rough stone.

Past tense verb with an adjective phrase.

野菜を粗く切ってください。

Please cut the vegetables coarsely.

Adverbial form 'araku' with the request form '~te kudasai'.

彼は息が粗いです。

His breathing is heavy.

Common collocation 'iki ga arai'.

このセーターは粗いですね。

This sweater has a loose knit.

Describing the physical property of clothing.

もっと粗い布はありますか？

Do you have a coarser cloth?

Using 'motto' (more) for comparison.

粗い塩を振りました。

I sprinkled coarse salt.

Noun modification with a past tense verb.

この絵は筆使いが粗いです。

This painting has rough brushstrokes.

Describing the quality of an artistic technique.

手触りが粗くて痛いです。

The feel is rough and it hurts.

Te-form of an adjective ('arakute') to connect reasons.

粗い粒子が混ざっています。

Coarse particles are mixed in.

Describing a mixture of textures.

この写真、画質が粗いですね。

This photo has grainy image quality.

Modern usage for digital resolution.

仕事が粗いと注意されました。

I was warned that my work is crude/sloppy.

Passive form 'chuui sareta' with an abstract description.

計画がまだ粗いので、修正が必要です。

The plan is still rough, so it needs revision.

Using 'node' to indicate cause and effect.

粗い見積もりですが、出しておきます。

It's a rough estimate, but I'll submit it.

Business collocation 'arai mitsumori'.

彼はプレーが粗いが、パワーがある。

His play is unrefined, but he has power.

Contrasting two qualities with 'ga'.

この論文は論理が粗い部分がある。

There are parts where the logic of this paper is crude.

Applying 'arai' to intellectual output.

粗い網で魚を捕まえます。

I catch fish with a large-mesh net.

Technical description of a tool's density.

仕上げが粗いので安っぽく見える。

The finish is crude, so it looks cheap.

Describing the relationship between finish and perceived value.

データの粒度が粗すぎて分析できない。

The data granularity is too coarse to analyze.

Technical usage of 'graininess/granularity' (ryūdo).

彼の説明は大まかというより、粗い。

His explanation is crude rather than just broad.

Comparing 'ōmaka' with 'arai' for nuance.

粗い言葉遣いは避けるべきだ。

One should avoid crude/rough language.

Using 'arai' to describe speech style.

この彫刻は粗削りな美しさがある。

This sculpture has a rough-hewn beauty.

Compound word 'arakezuri' used as an adjective.

解像度が粗いモニターでは目が疲れる。

A monitor with coarse resolution tires the eyes.

Describing a technical specification and its effect.

粗い布地が肌に当たって不快だ。

The coarse fabric is touching my skin and is uncomfortable.

Connecting physical sensation with emotion.

彼の性格は少し粗いところがある。

There's a bit of a rough side to his personality.

Abstract application to personality/character.

粗い地盤の上に家を建てるのは危険だ。

It is dangerous to build a house on coarse/unstable ground.

Context of civil engineering/geology.

その政策は設計が粗く、多くの欠陥がある。

That policy is crudely designed and has many flaws.

Formal critique of abstract systems.

粗い粒子が光を乱反射させている。

Coarse particles are causing diffuse reflection of light.

Scientific/Technical description of optics.

文学的な表現としては、あえて粗い言葉を選んだ。

As a literary expression, I intentionally chose crude words.

Stylistic choice in writing.

粗い選別では、質の高い製品は残らない。

With a crude sorting process, high-quality products won't remain.

Discussion of industrial processes.

彼の理論は、前提条件の扱いが粗い。

His theory is crude in its handling of prerequisites.

Academic critique of theoretical frameworks.

粗いメッシュを通して、不要なものを取り除く。

Remove unnecessary items through a coarse mesh.

Describing a filtration process.

その映像は、あえて粗い画質で撮影された。

That footage was intentionally shot with grainy image quality.

Artistic intent and technical execution.

粗いタッチの油絵が、彼の力強さを象徴している。

The oil painting with rough touches symbolizes his strength.

Artistic analysis and symbolism.

文明の粗い手触りが、自然の静寂を乱す。

The crude touch of civilization disturbs the silence of nature.

Highly metaphorical and poetic usage.

粗い認識論に基づいた議論は、本質を見失う。

Arguments based on a crude epistemology lose sight of the essence.

Advanced philosophical terminology.

その翻訳は、原文の繊細さを粗い表現で損なっている。

The translation mars the delicacy of the original with crude expressions.

Critique of linguistic nuance and translation quality.

粗い織り目の隙間から、過去の記憶が漏れ出す。

From the gaps of the coarse weave, memories of the past leak out.

Evocative, literary imagery.

社会制度の粗い網の目に、弱者が取り残される。

The vulnerable are left behind in the coarse mesh of social systems.

Sociopolitical metaphor.

粗い思考の産物が、洗練された現代社会に影を落とす。

The products of crude thinking cast a shadow over sophisticated modern society.

Complex abstract sentence structure.

粗い息遣いの中に、隠しきれない焦燥感が滲む。

In the heavy breathing, an unconcealable sense of frustration oozes out.

Deep psychological description.

粗い解像度の中にこそ、真実が宿ることもある。

Truth sometimes dwells precisely within coarse resolution.

Paradoxical and philosophical statement.

Häufige Kollokationen

息が粗い

画質が粗い

網目が粗い

仕事が粗い

粗い見積もり

手触りが粗い

粒子が粗い

論理が粗い

粗い砂

作りが粗い

Häufige Phrasen

粗い目で見る

— To look at something broadly or without focusing on small details.

今は粗い目で全体を確認しましょう。

粗い仕上げ

— A rough finish; a state where the final polishing or detailing hasn't been done.

粗い仕上げの家具が流行っている。

粗い鼻息

— Heavy breathing through the nose, often indicating excitement or anger.

彼は粗い鼻息で抗議した。

粗い粒

— Coarse grains, usually referring to salt, sugar, or sand.

粗い粒の塩が肉に合う。

粗い織り

— A loose or coarse weave in fabric.

粗い織りの麻のシャツ。

粗いドット

— Coarse dots/pixels in an image or print.

粗いドットのレトロなゲーム。

粗い削り出し

— Something roughly carved or machined out of a material.

粗い削り出しの金属パーツ。

粗い選別

— A crude or non-rigorous selection process.

粗い選別では不良品が混じる。

粗い区分

— A broad or rough categorization.

まずは粗い区分で整理する。

粗い地表

— A rough or uneven ground surface.

粗い地表を歩くための靴。

Wird oft verwechselt mit

粗い vs 荒い (Arai)

The most common confusion. 荒い means wild, violent, or intense (e.g., rough waves, rough temper).

粗い vs 洗い (Arai)

This is the stem of the verb 'arau' (to wash). It sounds the same but is a noun/verb.

粗い vs 粗探し (Arasagashi)

Often used as a fixed phrase for 'fault-finding,' though the kanji is the same.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"粗探しをする"

— To look for faults or flaws (though 'ara' here is a noun, it's related).

人の粗探しばかりしてはいけない。

Common

"粗削りな才能"

— Raw, unpolished talent that shows great potential.

彼はまだ粗削りな才能の持ち主だ。

Neutral

"鼻息を粗くする"

— To be full of vigor, enthusiasm, or anger (literally heavy breathing through the nose).

彼は新プロジェクトに鼻息を粗くしている。

Idiomatic

"仕事が粗い"

— To do work in a sloppy or unrefined manner.

仕事が粗いと信用を失う。

Professional/Critique

"網の目が粗い"

— To have loopholes or gaps in a system (like laws or rules).

この法律はまだ網の目が粗い。

Metaphorical

"粗にして野だが卑ではない"

— Rough and rustic, but not mean or vulgar (a famous self-description by various Japanese figures).

私の生き方は粗にして野だが卑ではないつもりだ。

Literary/Historical

"粒が粗い"

— Used metaphorically for a group where the quality is inconsistent or unrefined.

今年の新人たちは粒が粗い。

Metaphorical

"粗いフィルター"

— A system or mindset that lets too much through or isn't rigorous.

彼の情報のフィルターは粗すぎる。

Metaphorical

"作りが粗い"

— Poorly constructed or lacking in detail.

安物なので作りが粗いのは仕方ない。

Neutral

"筋が粗い"

— A story or plot that has gaps or lacks detail.

その映画は筋が粗くて納得できなかった。

Critique

Leicht verwechselbar

粗い vs 荒い

Identical pronunciation.

粗い is for texture/precision (coarse/crude). 荒い is for behavior/intensity (wild/violent).

荒い波 (Rough waves) vs 粗い砂 (Coarse sand).

粗い vs 雑

Both can mean 'crude' work.

粗い means the work lacks detail/precision. 雑 means the work was done carelessly or sloppily.

粗い計画 (Rough plan) vs 雑な字 (Sloppy handwriting).

粗い vs 大まか

Both mean 'rough' in terms of detail.

大まか is usually neutral/positive (broad summary). 粗い is usually neutral/negative (crude/lacking detail).

大まかな説明 (Broad explanation) vs 粗い説明 (Crude explanation).

粗い vs ざらざら

Both describe rough surfaces.

ざらざら is an onomatopoeia for the tactile sensation. 粗い is a formal adjective for the physical property.

肌がざらざらする (Skin feels rough) vs 粗い粒子 (Coarse particles).

粗い vs 粗末

Both share the kanji 粗.

粗い describes texture or detail. 粗末 describes something that is poor quality, cheap, or humble.

粗い布 (Coarse cloth) vs 粗末な服 (Shabby clothes).

Satzmuster

[Noun] は粗いです。

この砂は粗いです。

粗い [Noun] を [Verb]。

粗い塩を振ります。

[Noun] を粗く [Verb]。

野菜を粗く刻んでください。

[Noun] が粗いので、 [Result]。

画質が粗いので、顔が見えません。

[Abstract Noun] が粗い。

彼の論理は粗い。

あえて粗い [Noun] を [Verb]。

あえて粗い画質で撮影する。

粗い [Noun] の隙間から [Result]。

粗い網の目の隙間から逃げる。

粗い [Noun] に [Verb] される。

粗い時代の波に翻弄される。

Wortfamilie

Substantive

粗さ (arasa - coarseness/roughness)

粗筋 (arasuji - summary/outline)

粗品 (soshina - small gift/token of appreciation)

粗悪品 (soakuhin - inferior goods)

Verben

粗削りする (arakezuri suru - to rough-hew/rough out)

Adjektive

粗っぽい (arappoi - rough/wild - note: often uses the other kanji)

粗末な (somatsu na - crude/shabby)

Verwandt

粗末にする (somatsu ni suru - to waste/treat poorly)

粗挽き (arabiki - coarse grind)

粗大ゴミ (sodai gomi - oversized trash)

粗野 (soya - rustic/boorish)

粗略 (soryaku - careless/neglectful)

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in daily life, especially regarding food, materials, and digital media.

Häufige Fehler

Using 荒い for coarse sand. → 粗い砂
荒い is for 'wild' things like waves or tempests. 粗い is for 'coarse' textures.
Using 粗い for a sloppy person. → 雑な人
粗い describes the work or texture, not the person's character directly. Use 'zatsu' for sloppiness.
Saying 'iki ga tsuyoi' for heavy breathing. → 息が粗い
In Japanese, heavy breathing is specifically 'arai' (coarse/rough), not 'strong'.
Writing 'arai' with the 'wash' kanji 洗い in a descriptive context. → 粗い
洗い is a noun/verb stem for washing. It is never used as an adjective for 'rough'.
Using 'arai' to mean 'bad' in all contexts. → ひどい / 悪い
Arai is a specific kind of 'bad' (crude/unrefined). If something is just terrible, use 'hidoi'.

Tipps

The Rice Rule

The kanji for 'arai' (粗) starts with the rice radical (米). Think of 'coarse rice' to remember this word is about texture and granularity.

Business Estimates

Use 'arai mitsumori' when you want to give a quick, non-binding price estimate. It signals that the numbers are not final.

Arai vs. Zatsu

If the structure is missing detail, use 'arai'. If the work is just messy and careless, use 'zatsu'. A plan can be 'arai' but still professional.

Arabiki Flavor

In Japan, 'arabiki' (coarse grind) is often seen as more 'authentic' or 'meaty' in sausages. Look for this word in supermarkets!

Pixel Talk

When a video call is laggy and the image becomes blocky, you can say 'Gazō ga arai desu ne' (The image is grainy).

Heavy Breathing

Don't say 'iki ga hidoi'; always use 'iki ga arai' to describe heavy panting after exercise.

Sweater Weather

If a sweater is itchy because the wool is thick and the knit is loose, 'arai' is the perfect word to describe it.

Adverbial Form

Remember to change 'arai' to 'araku' when using it with verbs like 'kiru' (cut) or 'kezuru' (shave).

Ancient Gaps

The word originally meant 'having gaps.' This helps explain why it's used for both large-mesh nets and incomplete logic.

Softening Criticism

Saying 'mada arai' (still rough) is a gentler way to tell someone their work needs more detail compared to saying it's 'bad'.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Imagine a bowl of 'Rice' (米) that is 'Rough' and 'Raw'—that is 'A-RAW-I' (Arai). The rice radical in the kanji 粗 helps you remember it's about physical texture.

Visuelle Assoziation

Visualize a very low-resolution digital photo where you can see the 'coarse' square pixels. That 'grainy' look is 'arai'.

Word Web

Sandpaper Coarse Salt Pixelated Photos Heavy Breathing Rough Drafts Loose Weave Crude Logic Preliminary Estimates

Herausforderung

Try to find three things in your room right now that are 'arai' (rough or coarse) and describe them in Japanese using the word 'arai'.

Wortherkunft

The word 'arai' is a native Japanese (kun-yomi) adjective. It has been used since ancient times to describe things that are not dense or not fine.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Originally, it referred to things that had visible gaps or spaces, particularly in weaving or in the distribution of objects.

Japonic (Yamato Kotoba).

Kultureller Kontext

Calling a person's work 'arai' is a direct criticism of their competence. Use it carefully in professional settings.

English speakers might use 'rough' for both waves and sandpaper. In Japanese, you must split these into 荒い (waves) and 粗い (sandpaper).

The term '粗にして野だが卑ではない' (Rough and rustic but not vulgar) associated with historical figures like Ishida Baigan. The common marketing term '粗挽きネルドリップ' (Coarse grind nel drip) found in Japanese cafes. Pixel art in retro games being described as 'arai' (grainy/coarse) by nostalgic fans.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Cooking

粗挽きコショウ (Coarse black pepper)
粗く刻む (Chop coarsely)
粗い塩 (Coarse salt)
粗熱を取る (Let the initial heat escape)

Technology

画質が粗い (Grainy image quality)
解像度が粗い (Low resolution)
粗いドット (Coarse pixels)
圧縮が粗い (Crude compression)

Business

粗い見積もり (Rough estimate)
計画が粗い (The plan is crude)
粗筋を説明する (Explain the outline)
粗利益 (Gross profit)

Textiles/Materials

粗い布地 (Coarse fabric)
網目が粗い (Coarse mesh)
手触りが粗い (Rough feel)
粗い砂 (Coarse sand)

Physical State

息が粗い (Heavy breathing)
鼻息が粗い (Panting/Eager)
肌が粗い (Rough skin)
声が粗い (Rough/Hoarse voice - less common)

Gesprächseinstiege

"この写真、ちょっと画質が粗くないですか？ (This photo's quality is a bit grainy, isn't it?)"

"粗挽きのコーヒーと細かいの、どちらが好きですか？ (Do you prefer coarse grind or fine grind coffee?)"

"仕事の粗いところを直すにはどうすればいいでしょう？ (What should I do to fix the crude parts of my work?)"

"このセーター、網目が粗くて涼しいですね。 (This sweater has a coarse knit and feels cool, doesn't it?)"

"まずは粗い見積もりだけで大丈夫ですよ。 (A rough estimate is fine for now.)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

今日、仕事や勉強で『粗い』と感じたことは何ですか？ (What did you feel was 'crude' or 'unrefined' in your work or study today?)

粗い手触りのもの（砂や布など）について思い出を書いてください。 (Write a memory about something with a coarse texture, like sand or cloth.)

自分の『粗削り』な才能は何だと思いますか？ (What do you think is your 'raw/unpolished' talent?)

画質が粗い古い写真を見て、どう感じますか？ (How do you feel when looking at old, grainy photos?)

『息が粗くなる』ほど頑張った経験を教えてください。 (Tell me about an experience where you worked so hard you were breathing heavily.)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Generally, no. For a rough personality, use 'arappoi' (荒っぽい) or 'ranbō' (乱暴). If you use 'arai', people might think you are talking about their skin texture.

It means 'coarsely ground.' You see it on coffee (粗挽きコーヒー), sausages (粗挽きソーセージ), and pepper (粗挽き胡椒).

You can say 'arai mitsumori' (rough estimate) or 'arai shitagaki' (rough draft), though 'shitagaki' alone often implies a draft. 'Arai' emphasizes that it lacks detail.

Not always. For sandpaper or coffee, it's just a technical description. In business, a 'rough' estimate can be positive if speed is the priority.

They are opposites. 'Komakai' means fine, detailed, or small. 'Arai' means coarse, crude, or large-grained.

It's better to use 'dekoboko' (bumpy). 'Arai' would only apply if you were talking specifically about the coarseness of the gravel on the road.

No, that's '荒い'. They sound the same, but the kanji and meanings are different. '粗い' is coarse, '荒い' is wild.

It means heavy or labored breathing, like after running or when someone is very angry or ill.

Yes! 'Gashitsu ga arai' is the standard way to say an image is grainy or pixelated.

Remember the rice radical (米) on the left. Coarse rice has large grains—that's 'arai'!

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