Translation guide
Describes a rough, harsh, grating sound or voice, often unpleasant to hear.
His rasping voice stuck in my head.
Describes a voice that is hoarse, husky, or raspy, often due to illness, fatigue, or strain. It implies a rough, breathy quality.
My voice is rasping from a cold.
He whispered in a rasping voice.
Literally 'rough' or 'gritty' (like sandpaper). Can describe a voice or sound that is coarse and rasping.
His voice was rasping and hard to understand.
Similar to かすれた, but often implies a more aged or permanently rough voice. Can be used for a rasping, croaky voice.
I heard the old man's rasping voice.
Specifically 'rasping sound', using 音 (sound) instead of 声 (voice). Good for non-vocal sounds like scraping metal.
The rasping sound of the door bothers me.
To describe a physical sensation or action that is rough and scraping, like a file or sandpaper.
Describes a surface or texture that is rough, gritty, or rasping to the touch.
This paper has a rasping texture.
Literally 'like a file/rasp'. Used to describe something that feels or sounds like a rasp tool.
A less common phrase meaning 'rasping sensation', combining 耳障り (harsh on ears) with 感触 (feel/touch).
かすれた is the most common for a temporarily hoarse or raspy voice. しわがれた often implies an aged or permanently rough voice. ざらざらした is more about a gritty, coarse texture, but can be applied to voices metaphorically.
My voice became rasping from shouting too much.
I miss my grandfather's rasping voice.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'rasping'. Choose the option based on whether you are describing a sound, voice, or texture. Using 耳障りな is safe for most unpleasant sounds.
His hands were rough, like a rasp.
I hate the rasping feel of this cloth.