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つぎはぎ Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N1 Freq. Frequency Top 100,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb
patching ; darning
usually written using kana alone
Refers to the act or result of mending clothes by sewing patches or darning holes. Often used literally for fabric repair.
These trousers are full of patches.
2
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', transitive verb
cobbling together ; patching together
usually written using kana alone
Figurative use: assembling something from disparate pieces, often with a negative connotation of being makeshift or lacking originality. Common with writings, ideas, or plans.
Written forms つぎはぎ Usage 72%
Usually written in kana; the kanji spelling 継ぎ接ぎ is also common.
ツギハギ Usage 17%
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling, sometimes used for emphasis or in informal contexts.
継つ ぎ 接は ぎ Usage 5%
継つ ぎはぎ Usage 5%
search-only kanji form
Search-only form; not a standard spelling.
Kanji 継 inherit, succeed, continue Similar words パッチワーク A loanword often used for decorative patchwork quilting or a figurative mix of elements, while つぎはぎ emphasizes practical mending or makeshift assembly.
寄よ せ 集あつ め Means 'collection' or 'gathering' of things, but つぎはぎ implies joining pieces together, often with a negative nuance of being haphazard.
Etymology Compound of 継ぎ (tsugi, 'patch' or 'join') and 接ぎ (hagi, 'patch' or 'splice'), both from verbs 継ぐ (tsugu) and 接ぐ (hagu), meaning to connect or mend. The reduplicated form emphasizes repeated patching.