Translation guide
Describes a soft, light sound of leaves, paper, or fabric moving. In Japanese, this is often expressed with onomatopoeia like さらさら or かさかさ, or with adverbial phrases.
Describing the soft rustling of leaves, pages, or similar light materials.
Describing the soft sound of fabric moving, such as a silk dress or curtains.
Using a phrase to describe an action accompanied by a rustling sound.
A pattern meaning 'with a ~ sound'. Insert an onomatopoeia before と.
彼は新聞をがさがさと音を立てて読んだ。
He read the newspaper with a rustling sound.
さらさら is light and smooth (silk, fine paper, leaves). かさかさ is dry and crisp (dry leaves, stiff paper). がさがさ is rougher and louder (crumpling thick paper, dry brush). Choose based on the texture and volume of the sound.
絹のスカートはさらさらと音がする。
A silk skirt makes a soft rustling sound.
枯れ葉がかさかさと足元で鳴った。
The dry leaves rustled crisply underfoot.
彼は紙袋をがさがささせた。
He made the paper bag rustle loudly.
Onomatopoeia for a light, dry rustling sound, like leaves or paper. Often used with と and a verb like 音がする or 鳴る.
風で木の葉がさらさらと音を立てた。
The leaves rustled in the wind.
彼女はページをさらさらとめくった。
She rustled through the pages.
Onomatopoeia for a dry, crisp rustling, often slightly rougher than さらさら. Used for dry leaves, paper, or stiff fabric.
落ち葉がかさかさと音を立てている。
The fallen leaves are making a rustling sound.
Onomatopoeia for a louder, rougher rustling or crumpling sound, like thick paper or dry underbrush.
彼は袋をがさがさと開けた。
He rustled open the bag.
Also used for the light rustling of soft fabric like silk.
彼女のドレスがさらさらと揺れた。
Her dress rustled softly.
Onomatopoeia for a gentle, whispering rustle, often of light fabric or a breeze. More poetic.
カーテンがそよそよと風に揺れている。
The curtains are rustling gently in the breeze.