Translation guide
The English word "coarse" covers several distinct meanings: rough texture, large particles, vulgar language, and crude behavior. This guide breaks down these meanings and provides natural Japanese equivalents for each.
Describing something that feels rough or not smooth to the touch, like sandpaper or unpolished wood.
The most common word for rough texture. Used for surfaces, skin, fabric, etc.
この紙は表面が粗い。
This paper has a coarse surface.
彼の手は粗くて、硬かった。
His hands were coarse and hard.
An onomatopoeic adjective describing a gritty, rough texture, like sandpaper or unshaven skin.
サンドペーパーのざらざらした面を使ってください。
Use the coarse side of the sandpaper.
Literally "the grain/texture is coarse." Used for materials like wood, stone, or skin.
この木はきめが粗いので、塗装が難しい。
This wood has a coarse grain, so it's hard to paint.
Describing substances like sand, salt, or powder where the individual grains are large.
Same word as for rough texture, but used for granular substances.
粗い塩で肉をマリネする。
Marinate the meat with coarse salt.
この砂は粗いので、水はけがいい。
This sand is coarse, so it drains well.
Literally "the grains are large." A clear, descriptive phrase.
粒が大きい砂糖を使ってクッキーを作った。
I made cookies using coarse sugar.
Describing words or speech that are rude, obscene, or not polite.
The standard word for vulgar, crude, or indecent language or behavior.
彼は下品な冗談ばかり言う。
He always tells coarse jokes.
そんな下品な言葉を使わないでください。
Please don't use such coarse language.
Specifically means lewd or obscene. Stronger than 下品な, often sexual.
彼の卑猥な発言に皆が引いた。
Everyone was put off by his coarse remarks.
Means rough, boorish, or uncouth. Used for both language and behavior.
彼の粗野な態度が気に入らない。
I don't like his coarse attitude.
Describing a person or their actions as lacking sophistication, manners, or delicacy.
Describes someone who is rough, uncultured, or boorish in behavior.
彼は粗野だけど、心は優しい。
He's coarse but kind-hearted.
Means crude, coarse, or insensitive. Often used for a person's personality or actions.
彼のがさつな物言いが嫌だ。
I dislike his coarse way of speaking.
Also used for behavior that is vulgar or lacking refinement.
食事中に下品な音を立てないで。
Don't make coarse noises while eating.
Both describe roughness, but 粗い (あらい) is a general adjective for coarse texture, while ざらざら is an onomatopoeic word that specifically evokes a gritty, granular sensation. Use ざらざら for sandpaper, stubble, or grainy surfaces.
Although 粗い can mean coarse in texture, it is not used for coarse language or behavior. For that, use 下品な, 卑猥な, or 粗野な.