Translation guide
The English word "burr" has several distinct meanings: a prickly seed case, a rough edge on metal, a trilled pronunciation, and a type of cutting tool. This guide covers the most common and useful meanings for learners.
The spiky, clinging seed pod of plants like burdock or thistles.
I got burrs all over my pants after hiking. · The dog's fur was full of burrs.
Refers specifically to the spiky husk or burr of chestnuts, but also used for similar prickly seed cases.
Chestnut burrs were lying on the road.
Colloquial term for any plant seed that sticks to clothing or fur, like burrs. Literally 'sticking bug'.
When I got back from my walk, my socks were covered in burrs.
Means 'thorn' or 'spine'. Can be used for the prickly parts of a burr, but not the whole seed case.
The fruit of that plant has many small spines.
A thin, rough ridge left on metal after machining, cutting, or stamping.
The standard technical term for a burr on metal or plastic. Often written in katakana.
Please remove the burrs after processing.
Another term for burr, often used in metalworking contexts. Can also mean 'return' or 'warp', so context is important.
Refers to a burr or turned-up edge, especially on wood or softer materials.
A burr formed on the cut surface of the wood.
A rough, rolling pronunciation of the 'r' sound, characteristic of some dialects or languages.
Literally 'rolled tongue'. The standard term for a trilled or rolled 'r' sound.
He speaks with a burr.
Specifically 'rolled R', often used when discussing pronunciation of foreign languages.
I can't pronounce the Spanish rolled R well.
A small rotating cutting tool used for shaping, grinding, or engraving.
The word バリ (burr) is a homophone for Bali, the Indonesian island. Context usually makes it clear, but be aware of the potential confusion.
If you don't know the specific term, you can describe it as チクチクする植物の種 (prickly plant seed) or 服にくっつく種 (seed that sticks to clothes).
穴を開けた後、かえりをヤスリで削った。
After drilling the hole, I filed off the burr.
We use carbide cutting burrs for metalworking.