アラ

noun

fish bones; bony parts left after filleting

Refers to the remaining bones, head, and scraps after a fish is filleted. Often used in cooking contexts, e.g., making stock.

• アラでだしを取とると、いい味あじが出でる。

  If you make stock with fish bones, it gives a good flavor.

noun

flaw; fault; defect

Especially used for a person's character flaw or shortcoming. Often in the phrase アラを探す (find fault).

• 彼かれは人ひとのアラばかり探さがしている。

  He is always finding fault with others.

noun

rice chaff

Rare, specific term for the husks separated during rice polishing. Not commonly used in everyday conversation.

• 精せい米まい所じょでアラがたくさん出でる。

  A lot of rice chaff comes out at the rice-polishing factory.

prefix

rough; crude; raw; natural; wild

Prefix used in compounds to mean unrefined, coarse, or in a natural state. Examples: 粗削り (rough-hewn), 粗探し (fault-finding).

• 粗あら削けずりな性せい格かくだが、憎にくめない。

  He has a rough personality, but you can't hate him.

• 粗あら探さがしばかりしていないで、良よいところを見みつけよう。

  Instead of just finding faults, let's look for the good points.