荒々しい

• Reading: あらあらしい
• Romaji: araarashii
• Kanji breakdown: 荒 (kou/ara) — rough, wild, desolate
• Pronunciation: /a.ɾa.a.ɾa.ɕiː/

Meaning

Rough; wild; violent; fierce; rugged. Describes intensely powerful, untamed force in nature or human behaviour.

The reduplicated form of 荒い (rough, wild), with 々 intensifying the quality to convey raw, unrestrained power. Used for both natural forces (fierce waves, a rugged mountain range) and human conduct (a rough manner, an aggressive tone). Implies something primal and unrefined that can be awe-inspiring or alarming depending on context.

Examples

1. 嵐の夜、海は荒々しく波打っていた。 On the stormy night, the sea surged wildly.
2. 彼は荒々しい口調で部下を叱りつけた。 He berated his subordinates in a rough, aggressive tone.
3. 山岳地帯の荒々しい地形は、登山者にとって厳しい試練だ。 The rugged terrain of the mountain range is a severe test for climbers.

Usage Guide

Context: nature, literature, interpersonal, sports

Tone: intense

Origin & History

Derived from 荒い (arai — rough, wild) with reduplication 々 to intensify the meaning. The kanji 荒 (kou/ara) relates to wildness and barrenness, appearing in 荒野 (wasteland) and 荒波 (rough seas).

Cultural Context

Era: Classical-Modern

Generation: Adult

Social background: General