Translation guide
The English word "grating" can describe a harsh, unpleasant sound, a physical sensation of roughness, or an irritating quality in behavior or personality. It can also refer to a metal framework of bars. This guide covers the most common Japanese expressions for each meaning, organized from most to least useful for learners.
Describing a sound that is irritating, rasping, or discordant, like metal scraping or a rough voice.
A common adjective meaning 'harsh on the ears' or 'unpleasant to hear'. Used for any grating noise.
That sound was very grating.
An onomatopoeia for a high-pitched, squeaking or scraping sound, like nails on a chalkboard.
The door made a grating squeak.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'unpleasant sound'. Less specific than 耳障りな but widely understood.
A grating noise continued the whole time.
Verb meaning 'to creak' or 'to grate', often used for floors, doors, or metal parts rubbing together.
I was bothered by the grating sound of the floor creaking.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'to grate on the ears' or 'to be irritating to hear', often for repetitive or annoying sounds.
His voice is grating and I can't get it out of my head.
Describing a surface or texture that feels rough, scratchy, or abrasive to the touch.
An onomatopoeic adjective meaning 'rough' or 'gritty', like sandpaper or an unpolished surface.
This wall is grating and hurts to touch.
Adjective meaning 'coarse' or 'rough', used for textures like rough cloth or coarse sand.
Onomatopoeia for a prickly or scratchy sensation, like a wool sweater or stubble.
Describing a person's behavior, voice, or attitude that is persistently annoying or abrasive.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'to get on one's nerves' or 'to be irritating'. Used for grating personalities or habits.
His way of speaking is grating.
Verb meaning 'to irritate' or 'to make someone feel annoyed'. Describes a grating effect on one's mood.
Her attitude is grating on me.
Also used metaphorically for voices or speech that are grating to listen to.
A physical object: a grid or framework of parallel or crossed bars, used as a cover, screen, or drain cover.
General term for a lattice, grating, or grid, often made of wood or metal.
The window is fitted with an iron grating.
Loanword from English, specifically for metal grating used in construction, drainage, or industrial flooring.
A grating was installed over the gutter.
Wire mesh or netting, sometimes used as a grating-like barrier. More like a screen than a heavy grating.
Do not directly translate 'grating' as すりおろす (to grate food) or 摩擦音 (fricative sound). These are not used for the unpleasant sensory meanings. Use the onomatopoeic or idiomatic expressions above instead.
Both mean 'grating on the ears', but 耳障り is a direct adjective for the sound quality, while 耳につく implies the sound sticks in your mind and bothers you repeatedly.
This fabric is grating and doesn't agree with my skin.
このセーターはチクチクする。
This sweater feels grating.
His voice is so grating I can't listen for long.
金網のフェンスが敷地を囲んでいる。
A wire-mesh grating fence surrounds the property.