Translation guide
The English word "rough" covers many meanings, from physical texture to approximate estimates, difficult situations, and casual behavior. This guide breaks down the most useful Japanese equivalents for each sense.
Describing a surface that is uneven, coarse, or not smooth to the touch.
General word for coarse or rough texture, often used for surfaces, skin, or granular substances.
This paper has a rough surface.
His hands are chapped and rough.
Onomatopoeic word emphasizing a gritty, rough texture, like sandpaper or dry skin.
This desk feels rough.
Describes a bumpy, rugged, or uneven surface, like rocks or rough terrain.
The mountain path is rough and hard to walk on.
Describing physical actions or handling that are forceful, harsh, or lacking care.
Means rough, violent, or reckless. Often used for behavior, handling objects, or speech.
He handled the luggage roughly.
Can also mean rough in the sense of violent or intense, e.g., rough waves, rough breathing, or rough treatment.
Specifically means rough or violent in handling, often used for physical treatment.
Giving a rough estimate, outline, or general idea without precise details.
Means rough, approximate, or broad. Commonly used for estimates, plans, or descriptions.
Please give me a rough estimate.
Adverb meaning roughly, approximately. Often used with numbers or quantities.
Adverb meaning roughly, briefly, or in a cursory manner. Often used when skimming or summarizing.
Can also mean rough in the sense of coarse or not detailed, e.g., a rough sketch or rough classification.
Describing a situation, period, or experience that is hard, tough, or full of hardship.
Means tough, hard, or terrible. Very common for describing difficult situations.
I had a rough day at work.
Means painful, hard, or tough, often emotionally or physically draining.
Means tough, demanding, or severe. Often used for physically or mentally demanding situations.
Describing a person or their behavior as lacking polish, sophistication, or refinement.
Means rough, crude, or boorish. Often used for manners or personality.
He had a rough manner.
Describes someone who is rough, coarse, or insensitive in behavior or personality.
Means rough, wild, or lacking delicacy. Can describe behavior, speech, or methods.
Describing something that is in an early, incomplete, or unpolished state.
Describing stormy, turbulent, or dangerous weather or sea.
Verb meaning to become rough, stormy, or wild. Used for weather, sea, or even a person's mood.
The weather will be rough tomorrow.
The sea is rough.
Specifically means a stormy sea or rough sea conditions, often used in fishing or maritime contexts.
Both are read as あらい but have different kanji and nuances. 粗い refers to coarse texture or rough quality (e.g., rough surface, rough estimate). 荒い refers to violent, intense, or wild actions/states (e.g., rough sea, rough breathing, rough behavior). However, in some contexts they overlap, and 粗い is sometimes used for rough handling as well.
The phrase 'rough time' should not be translated literally as 荒い時間. Use expressions like 大変な時期 (taihen na jiki) or 辛い時期 (tsurai jiki) to convey hardship.
I had a rough day.
The sea is rough today.
Give me a rough estimate.
Please stop using rough language.
The sea is rough, so we can't swim today.
His driving is rough.
手荒い扱いを受けた。
I was treated roughly.
I already have a rough plan.
おおよその数を見積もる。
Estimate a rough number.
Roughly 100 people gathered.
I took a rough look through it.
Roughly calculated, it's about 500,000 yen.
It's a rough classification, but is this okay?
He is going through a rough time.
It was a rough experience.
Today's practice was rough.
He is a rough person.
Use rough language.
It's rough, but I can sense talent.
We can't go fishing because of the rough sea.