あられ
Meanings
1
hail (small, under 5 mm); graupel
usually written using kana alone
Refers to small hail or graupel, typically under 5 mm. Contrast with 雹 (ひょう), which is larger hail.
See also: 雹
Last night, small hail fell and the garden turned white.
2
dicing; small cubes
usually written using kana alonefood / cooking
Used in cooking to describe ingredients cut into small cubes, resembling hailstones.
I diced the carrot and put it in the soup.
3
roasted mochi pieces (usu. flavored with soy sauce)
abbreviationusually written using kana alone
Abbreviation of 霰餅 (あられもち). Small, bite-sized roasted mochi often seasoned with soy sauce or other flavors.
See also: あられ餅
I served roasted mochi pieces with the tea.
Usage patterns
- 霰が降るhail falls
Hail suddenly started falling outside.
- 〈物〉をあられに切るto cut something into small dice
I diced the daikon into small cubes and added it to the salad.