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.
彼は低俗な小説ばかり読んでいる。
He only reads pulpy novels.
The English word 'pulpy' is not used as a loanword in Japanese. Use the descriptive terms above instead.
この桃はとても柔らかくて、ジューシーだ。
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.
紙が水でふやけてしまった。
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.
煮すぎて、野菜がどろどろになった。
I overcooked it and the vegetables turned pulpy.
Literally 'pulp-like'. Technical or descriptive term, not common in everyday speech.
この紙はパルプ状の原料から作られている。
This paper is made from pulpy raw material.
Means 'sensational' or 'lurid'. Emphasizes the exciting, shocking nature of pulp content.
その雑誌は扇情的な記事でいっぱいだ。
The magazine is full of pulpy articles.
Literally 'three-penny novel', meaning cheap, trashy fiction. A bit dated but captures the pulp fiction idea.
それは典型的な三文小説だ。
That's a typical pulpy novel.