Translation guide
The English word 'ragged' describes something that is torn, worn, or uneven. This guide covers how to express these ideas naturally in Japanese, from describing clothes and edges to feeling tired or rough.
Describing something that is torn, frayed, or in tatters, especially clothing or fabric.
An onomatopoeic word meaning 'tattered', 'worn out', or 'in rags'. Commonly used for clothes, shoes, or objects that are falling apart.
彼はぼろぼろの服を着ていた。
He was wearing ragged clothes.
この本はぼろぼろだ。
This book is ragged.
Means 'worn out' or 'frayed' from friction. Often used for fabric that has become thin or torn at the edges.
擦り切れたジーンズが好きだ。
I like ragged jeans.
A noun meaning 'rag' or 'tattered cloth'. Can be used attributively as ぼろの to mean 'ragged'.
彼はぼろをまとっていた。
He was dressed in rags.
Describing an edge or surface that is not smooth, often torn or jagged.
An onomatopoeic word meaning 'jagged' or 'notched'. Used for edges that are uneven, like a saw blade or torn paper.
紙の端がぎざぎざだ。
The edge of the paper is ragged.
Means 'uneven' or 'bumpy'. Can describe a ragged surface or terrain.
Describing a person who looks exhausted, haggard, or rough due to fatigue or hardship.
An onomatopoeic word meaning 'exhausted' or 'worn out'. Often used for people who are physically drained.
彼はくたくたに疲れていた。
He was ragged with exhaustion.
Means 'haggard' or 'gaunt', often from illness or worry. Describes a ragged appearance.
彼女のやつれた顔が心配だ。
Her ragged face worries me.
Describing a sound that is rough, grating, or not smooth.
Means 'hoarse' or 'husky'. Used for a ragged voice, often from shouting or a cold.
彼の声はしわがれていた。
His voice was ragged.
An onomatopoeic word meaning 'rough' or 'gritty'. Can describe a ragged texture or sound.
スピーカーからざらざらした音が出た。
A ragged sound came from the speaker.
Describing something that is uneven in quality, not smooth or consistent.
A phrase meaning 'to be uneven' or 'to have ups and downs'. Used for performance, quality, or effort that is ragged.
彼の演奏にはむらがある。
His performance is ragged.
Also used metaphorically for inconsistency, like a ragged graph or progress.
売り上げがでこぼこだ。
Sales are ragged.
The English word 'ragged' covers many senses. Do not use a single Japanese word for all contexts. Choose based on what is ragged: clothes, edges, voice, etc.
道がでこぼこで歩きにくい。
The road is ragged and hard to walk on.