Translation guide
Describes something with an uneven surface or texture, often with small raised areas or clumps. In Japanese, this is expressed through various adjectives and descriptive phrases depending on what is lumpy and why.
道がでこぼこしている。
The road is lumpy.
ソースがだまになっている。
The sauce is lumpy.
Describing a surface that is not smooth, with small bumps or irregularities.
A common mimetic word for an uneven, bumpy surface. Can be used as a noun or na-adjective.
この道はでこぼこしている。
This road is bumpy.
壁がでこぼこで、ペンキがうまく塗れない。
The wall is lumpy, so the paint won't go on smoothly.
Kanji form of でこぼこ, more common in written language.
凸凹のある地形
uneven terrain
Mimetic word for a surface with many small bumps or dents, often implying a hollow sound when tapped. More casual.
この缶はぼこぼこだ。
This can is all dented and lumpy.
Describing food or mixtures that have small solid pieces or clumps, not smooth.
Used for flour, powder, or liquid mixtures that form lumps. Literally 'become lumps'.
粉がだまにならないように、少しずつ水を加えてください。
Add water little by little so the flour doesn't get lumpy.
ソースがだまになってしまった。
The sauce has gone lumpy.
Mimetic word for small grains or lumps, often used positively for texture in food like tapioca or fruit pulp.
Means 'lump' or 'clump'. Can describe a lumpy mass, but more often refers to a solid chunk.
Describing a part of the body that has a swollen, uneven shape due to injury or condition.
A bump or swelling on the body, like from a hit. Often used as a noun.
頭にこぶができた。
I got a lump on my head.
Means 'swollen'. Can describe a lumpy appearance due to swelling.
足首がはれていて、でこぼこしている。
My ankle is swollen and looks lumpy.
Describing a mattress, pillow, or cushion that has uneven filling, making it uncomfortable.
Literally 'the filling is unevenly distributed'. Commonly used for lumpy pillows or futons.
この枕は中身が偏っていて寝心地が悪い。
This pillow is lumpy and uncomfortable to sleep on.
Mimetic word for a stiff, rough, or lumpy texture, often used for fabric or bedding that has lost its softness.
この布団はごわごわしている。
This futon is lumpy and stiff.
でこぼこ is the standard word for general unevenness. ぼこぼこ emphasizes a surface with many small bumps or dents, often with a hollow sound, and is more casual.
Do not use 塊 (かたまり) for 'lumpy' in most contexts. 塊 means a solid lump or mass, not a bumpy texture. For food lumps, use だま; for surface bumps, use でこぼこ.
マッシュポテトがだまになっている。
The mashed potatoes are lumpy.
中身が偏った枕は好きじゃない。
I don't like lumpy pillows.
このジャムはつぶつぶが残っていておいしい。
This jam is delicious with its lumpy texture (fruit bits).
スープにかたまりが浮いている。
There are lumps floating in the soup.