Translation guide
Describes a pattern or movement with sharp alternating turns, like a Z shape. In Japanese, it's commonly expressed with onomatopoeia, nouns, or verbs depending on whether you're describing a shape, a path, or an action.
The speaker wants to describe something that has a zigzag shape, like a line, road, or design.
A loanword from English, commonly used as a noun or na-adjective to describe a zigzag pattern or shape. Very natural in modern Japanese.
この道はジグザグだ。
This road is zigzag.
ジグザグの模様が好きです。
I like zigzag patterns.
An onomatopoeic word that describes a jagged, notched, or zigzag edge. Often used for saw-like edges or sharp alternating shapes. Can be used as a noun or adverb with する.
その葉っぱはギザギザしている。
That leaf has a jagged edge.
ギザギザの線を引いてください。
Please draw a zigzag line.
Literally 'zigzag folding', this noun specifically refers to a zigzag path, especially a mountain trail with many switchbacks. More literary or descriptive.
山道はつづら折りになっている。
The mountain path zigzags.
The speaker wants to describe the action of moving with sharp turns, like a skier or a rabbit.
The most straightforward way to say 'move in a zigzag'. ジグザグに functions as an adverb.
ウサギはジグザグに走った。
The rabbit ran in a zigzag.
スキーヤーがジグザグに滑る。
The skier zigzags down the slope.
Used for vehicles or formal contexts. 走行 means 'running' or 'driving'.
車がジグザグ走行していて危なかった。
The car was zigzagging and it was dangerous.
Literally 'snake-like movement', this verb means to meander or zigzag, often used for rivers or vehicles moving erratically. Slightly formal.
酔っ払いが蛇行しながら歩いている。
The drunk is walking in a zigzag.
川が蛇行している。
The river meanders.
Means 'to swing left and right', used when something moves back and forth sharply, like a tail or a vehicle swerving.
犬がしっぽを左右に振っている。
The dog is wagging its tail from side to side.
The speaker wants to describe causing something to move in a zigzag, like steering a car or drawing a line.
General transitive phrase: 'move something in a zigzag'.
ハンドルをジグザグに動かした。
He turned the steering wheel in a zigzag.
Used for cutting something into a zigzag shape, like paper or fabric.
紙をジグザグに切ってください。
Please cut the paper in a zigzag.
ジグザグ is a general zigzag pattern, often used for roads, lines, or movements. ギザギザ emphasizes a jagged, saw-toothed edge, like a serrated knife or a leaf margin. For a simple zigzag line, either can work, but ジグザグ is more common for paths and movements.
While ジグザグ is versatile, it may sound unnatural for certain traditional or literary descriptions. For example, a mountain path with switchbacks is better described as つづら折り, and a meandering river is often 蛇行する. Use the appropriate word for the context.
道は山をジグザグに登っている。
The road zigzags up the mountain.
彼はジグザグの線を引いた。
He drew a zigzag line.