Translation guide
The English word "clump" refers to a group of things close together, often in a mass or cluster. This guide helps learners express this idea naturally in Japanese, covering nouns for clusters, verbs for gathering, and descriptive phrases.
Describing a group of objects growing or positioned closely together, forming a noticeable mass.
General word for a lump, mass, or clump of something. Can be used for physical objects, people, or abstract concepts.
木の塊が公園の隅にある。
There is a clump of trees in the corner of the park.
髪の毛が塊になって絡まっている。
My hair is tangled in clumps.
Often used for groups of animals, but can also describe clusters of plants or things that are gathered together.
竹の群れが風に揺れている。
A clump of bamboo is swaying in the wind.
Specifically refers to a thicket or clump of bushes or undergrowth.
庭の隅に草の茂みがある。
There is a clump of grass in the corner of the garden.
Hiragana version of 塊, often used in casual writing or when the kanji is considered too formal.
土のかたまりを崩す。
Break up the clumps of soil.
Referring to a compacted or sticky mass of a material, often unintentional or messy.
Works for any solid mass, including food, dirt, or snow.
小麦粉が塊になっている。
The flour has formed clumps.
雪の塊が屋根から落ちた。
A clump of snow fell from the roof.
Commonly used for lumps in powder or liquid, like flour or milk. Often written in katakana.
Describing a small crowd or cluster of living beings.
Standard word for a group of animals or people gathered together.
人々の群れが広場にできていた。
A clump of people had formed in the square.
More formal term for a group or mass of people.
Can be used for people, emphasizing a tight, dense group.
Describing the action of things coming together to form a mass.
Intransitive verb meaning to harden, solidify, or clump together. Used for substances becoming lumpy.
砂糖が湿気で固まった。
The sugar clumped together from moisture.
Transitive verb meaning to harden or make something clump together.
Phrase meaning 'to become a clump'. Common and versatile.
髪が絡まって塊になった。
My hair got tangled and clumped together.
Verb meaning to swarm or crowd around, used for people or animals gathering.
Referring to a cluster of plants like bamboo, flowers, or grass, often using specific counters.
Counter/word for a clump or stock of plants, especially those that grow from a single root base (e.g., bamboo, grass, bushes).
竹が一株生えている。
There is one clump of bamboo growing.
ススキの株を分ける。
Divide the clump of Japanese pampas grass.
Means bundle or bunch, can be used for a clump of cut plants or flowers tied together.
花の束を花瓶に生ける。
Arrange a clump of flowers in a vase.
Describing the sound of something heavy falling or moving with a thud, sometimes associated with a clump.
Onomatopoeia for a heavy thud, like a clump of something hitting the ground.
雪の塊がドスンと落ちた。
A clump of snow fell with a thud.
塊 (かたまり) emphasizes a solid, often shapeless mass, while 群れ (むれ) implies a group of distinct individuals (animals, people). For a clump of trees, both can work, but 塊 suggests a dense, unified mass, whereas 群れ suggests a collection of separate trees.
While 人のかたまり is understandable, it can sound odd or dehumanizing. Use 群れ or 集団 for groups of people unless emphasizing a tight, disorderly crowd.
フェンスのそばに茂みがある。
There's a clump of bushes by the fence.
茂み is the most natural word for a clump of bushes.
土は硬い塊だらけだった。
The soil was full of hard clumps.
生地がダマにならないようにしてください。
Don't let the batter get clumpy.
Mix so that the powder doesn't form clumps.
観光客の集団が道を塞いでいる。
A clump of tourists is blocking the road.
子供たちがかたまりになって遊んでいる。
The children are playing in a clump.
土を固めて植木鉢を作る。
Clump the soil together to make a flowerpot.
ハトがパンくずに群がっている。
Pigeons are clumping around the bread crumbs.