Translation guide
Describes something soft, moist, and easily crushed, like fruit flesh or wet paper. Also used for sensational, low-quality writing or media.
Describing a physical texture that is soft, yielding, and somewhat wet, similar to the inside of a fruit or soaked paper.
General word for 'soft'. Can describe pulpy textures when context implies moisture and crushability.
Describing books, magazines, or content that is cheap, sensational, and lacking literary merit, like pulp fiction.
Means 'vulgar' or 'lowbrow'. Commonly used for sensational, trashy content.
The English word 'pulpy' is not used as a loanword in Japanese. Use the descriptive terms above instead.
This peach is very soft and juicy.
Describes something that has absorbed water and become soft and swollen, like wet paper or overcooked noodles. Good for 'pulpy' in the sense of soggy.
The paper got pulpy from the water.
Describes a thick, mushy, or pulpy consistency, like overcooked fruit or a slushy mixture. Often used for semi-liquid states.
I overcooked it and the vegetables turned pulpy.
Literally 'pulp-like'. Technical or descriptive term, not common in everyday speech.
This paper is made from pulpy raw material.
He only reads pulpy novels.
Means 'sensational' or 'lurid'. Emphasizes the exciting, shocking nature of pulp content.
The magazine is full of pulpy articles.
Literally 'three-penny novel', meaning cheap, trashy fiction. A bit dated but captures the pulp fiction idea.
That's a typical pulpy novel.