Translation guide
Describes a soft, light sound of movement, like leaves, paper, or fabric brushing together. In Japanese, this is often expressed with onomatopoeia or mimetic words, most commonly さらさら (sarasara) or かさかさ (kasakasa), depending on the material and context.
Express a gentle, continuous rustling sound, like leaves in the wind, turning pages, or light cloth moving.
Mimetic word for a soft, dry rustling sound. Commonly used for leaves, paper, sand, or light fabric. Often implies a pleasant, gentle sound.
木の葉が風でさらさらと音を立てた。
The leaves rustled softly in the wind.
彼女はページをさらさらとめくった。
She turned the pages with a rustle.
Mimetic word for a dry, light rustling or crackling sound. Often used for dry leaves, paper, or something slightly stiff. Can imply dryness or lack of moisture.
枯れ葉がかさかさと音を立てていた。
The dead leaves were rustling dryly.
紙袋がかさかさする。
The paper bag rustles.
Mimetic word for a gentle breeze or the sound of something swaying softly. More about the movement than the sound, but can imply a faint rustle.
そよそよと風が吹いている。
The wind is blowing gently (with a soft rustle).
Describe the sound of clothes rustling, like a silk dress or a stiff skirt moving.
Mimetic word for a light, dry rustling sound, often used for clothing, paper, or small objects moving. Slightly more irregular or intermittent than さらさら.
彼女のドレスがかさこそと音を立てた。
Her dress rustled.
Mimetic word for a crisp, rustling sound, like stiff silk or starched fabric. Also used for crunchy food textures.
着物がしゃりしゃりと擦れる音がした。
The kimono made a crisp rustling sound as it rubbed.
Describe the sound of a small creature moving through dry leaves or grass.
Mimetic word for a rough, rustling sound, often used for something moving through bushes or dry leaves. Can also describe a coarse texture.
茂みの中で何かががさがさと動いた。
Something rustled in the bushes.
Also used for small animals moving through dry leaves, emphasizing the dry, light sound.
さらさら is soft and pleasant (silk, fine sand, leaves in a gentle breeze). かさかさ is dry and light, often implying lack of moisture (dry leaves, paper). がさがさ is rougher and louder, often for something moving through undergrowth or a coarse texture.
髪がさらさらだ。
Hair is silky and smooth (not rustling, but same word).
肌がかさかさだ。
Skin is dry and rough.
この紙はがさがさしている。
This paper is coarse and rough.
Most rustling sounds are mimetic words (onomatopoeia). They are often used with と (to) and a verb like 音を立てる (oto o tateru, 'make a sound') or 動く (ugoku, 'move'). They can also be used with する (suru) to mean 'to be/make that sound'.
風で木の葉がさらさらと揺れた。
The leaves rustled in the wind.
袋がかさかさする。
The bag rustles.
トカゲが落ち葉の中をかさかさと走った。
The lizard scurried through the fallen leaves with a rustle.