つるつる

つ

る

つ

る

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

na-adjective, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', adverb, noun or participle which takes 'suru'

onomatopoeic or mimetic word

Describes a surface that is smooth, glossy, and often slippery to the touch. Can be used for skin, hair, polished objects, or food textures.

彼かの女じょの肌はだはつるつるだ。

Her skin is smooth.

na-adjective, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', adverb, noun or participle which takes 'suru'

onomatopoeic or mimetic word

Emphasizes slipperiness, often with a negative connotation of being greasy or dangerously slick, such as icy roads or oily surfaces.

油あぶらで手てがつるつるして、瓶びんが開あけられない。
My hands are slippery from oil and I can't open the jar.
道みちが凍こおってつるつるになっている。
The road is frozen and slippery.

adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle

onomatopoeic or mimetic word

Mimetic adverb describing the sound or action of slurping noodles. Often used with と and verbs like 食べる or すする.

すべすべ
すべすべ describes a smooth, soft, and pleasant texture, often for skin, without the glossy or slippery nuance of つるつる.
ぬるぬる
ぬるぬる emphasizes a slimy, slippery feel, often with moisture, whereas つるつる can be dry and polished.

Mimetic word; the exact origin is uncertain, but the reduplicated form つるつる likely imitates a smooth, sliding sensation or sound.