Translation guide
The quality of being sticky, adhesive, or viscous. In Japanese, this is expressed through nouns, adjectives, and onomatopoeia, with distinctions between pleasant stickiness (like rice) and unpleasant stickiness (like sweat).
Describing the physical property of being sticky or adhesive, without strong positive or negative connotation.
A technical or formal noun meaning 'adhesiveness' or 'stickiness'. Used for materials, tapes, glues, etc.
このテープは粘着性が高い。
This tape has high stickiness.
A common noun for 'stickiness' or 'viscosity', often used for food textures (like natto or mochi) or liquids. Implies a degree of stretchiness.
The noun form of the verb 粘る (nebaru), meaning 'stickiness' or 'tenacity'. Can refer to physical stickiness or metaphorical persistence.
Expressing a sticky, clammy, or greasy feeling that is uncomfortable, often due to sweat or humidity.
Noun form of the verb べたつく (betatsuku), describing an unpleasant sticky or greasy feeling, especially from sweat or humidity.
夏の湿気で肌にべたつきを感じる。
I feel stickiness on my skin from the summer humidity.
An onomatopoeic adverb/adjective describing a sticky, clammy, or greasy state, often used for skin or surfaces. Can be used as a noun with する.
汗で手がべとべとする。
My hands are sticky with sweat.
Similar to べとべと, but often implies a stickier, more adhesive feeling, like something coated with syrup. Can also describe clingy behavior.
Describing a sticky, chewy, or gooey texture that is considered appetizing, such as in mochi, rice, or cheese.
An onomatopoeic word describing a pleasantly chewy and slightly sticky texture, like fresh mochi or good bread. Often used in food reviews.
このパンはもちもちしていて美味しい。
This bread is pleasantly sticky and chewy, and delicious.
Onomatopoeia for a sticky, gooey, or slimy texture, often used for foods like natto, okra, or yamaimo. Can be positive or neutral in food contexts.
Referring to the ability of something to stick to a surface, like glue or tape.
A technical term meaning 'adhesive strength' or 'bonding power'. Used for glues, tapes, and industrial adhesives.
この接着剤は接着力が強い。
This glue has strong stickiness.
Similar to 接着力, but more general for 'adhesive force' or 'tackiness'. Often used for stickers or tapes.
シールの粘着力が弱くなった。
The stickiness of the sticker has weakened.
べたべた implies a sticky, adhesive surface (like tape or syrup). べとべと implies a clammy, moist stickiness (like sweaty skin). ねばねば implies a gooey, stringy stickiness (like natto or slime). Choose based on the type of stickiness.
汗で肌がべとべとだ。
My skin is sticky with sweat.
テーブルがジュースでべたべただ。
The table is sticky with juice.
納豆がねばねばしている。
The natto is sticky and gooey.
The English word 'stickiness' covers many nuances. Directly translating it as 粘着性 in casual conversation about sweat or food will sound unnatural. Use context-appropriate words like べたつき or もちもち.
このご飯の粘り気は寿司にぴったりだ。
The stickiness of the rice is perfect for sushi.
粘り気 for desirable rice stickiness.
この納豆は粘り気が強い。
This natto has strong stickiness.
この餅は粘りがある。
This mochi has stickiness.
床がジュースでべたべただ。
The floor is sticky with juice.
納豆のねばねばが好きだ。
I like the stickiness of natto.