Translation guide
Describes a surface that is uneven, rough, or full of bumps, or a ride/movement that is jolting and not smooth.
Describing a road, path, or surface that is not smooth and has many bumps or irregularities.
The most common and versatile word for an uneven, bumpy surface. Can be used as a noun, adjective (でこぼこな), or adverb (でこぼこしている).
この道はでこぼこしていて歩きにくい。
This road is bumpy and hard to walk on.
でこぼこな地面に気をつけてください。
Please be careful of the bumpy ground.
Kanji form of でこぼこ. Often used in written contexts or signs.
前方に凸凹あり。
Bumpy road ahead.
Onomatopoeic word for a rattling, bumpy surface or movement. Often implies a rough, uneven condition.
この道はがたがただね。
This road is really bumpy, isn't it?
Onomatopoeic word emphasizing many small bumps or dents, like a surface full of potholes or a bumpy texture.
道がぼこぼこで自転車に乗れない。
The road is so bumpy I can't ride my bike.
Describing a ride in a vehicle or a movement that is rough and full of jolts.
Commonly used for a bumpy, rattling ride in a car, bus, or train.
バスががたがた揺れて酔いそう。
The bus is bumping around so much I feel sick.
Can also describe a bumpy ride, though more commonly used for the surface itself.
Onomatopoeia for a heavy, bumpy, rattling motion, like a train on uneven tracks.
電車がごとごとと走っている。
The train is running with a bumpy, rattling sound.
Describing a surface that is not smooth to the touch, like an orange peel or rough skin.
Works for any uneven texture, including skin or fruit.
このオレンジは皮がでこぼこしている。
This orange has a bumpy peel.
Means rough or gritty to the touch, often used for skin or surfaces that are not smooth.
Describes a surface with many small bumps or pimples, like a rash or goosebumps.
Describing a flight that is rough due to air turbulence.
Literally 'the air current is bad', the most natural way to say a flight is bumpy.
今日は気流が悪くて、飛行機がすごく揺れた。
The flight was really bumpy today because of bad air currents.
Verb meaning 'to shake' or 'to sway'. Often used to describe a bumpy flight.
飛行機がよく揺れた。
The plane was very bumpy.
The English word 'bumpy' does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. Using バンピー (banpii) is not natural. Instead, choose the appropriate onomatopoeia or descriptive word based on context.
でこぼこ道で車がすごく揺れた。
The car shook a lot on the bumpy road.
肌がざらざらしている。
My skin feels bumpy/rough.
腕にぶつぶつができた。
I got a bumpy rash on my arm.