粗い

• Reading: あらい
• Romaji: arai
• Kanji breakdown: 粗 (so/ara) — coarse, rough, crude
• Pronunciation: /a.ɾa.i/

Meaning

Rough; coarse; crude; harsh. Describes texture, quality, or resolution that lacks refinement or smoothness.

An i-adjective describing physical coarseness (rough fabric, coarse sandpaper), low resolution (a grainy image), or hasty, crude work (a sloppy report). Distinct from 荒い (rough/wild in force) — 粗い focuses on quality, texture, and finish rather than intensity of force or manner.

Examples

1. このサンドペーパーは目が粗いので、下地処理に使うといい。 This sandpaper has a coarse grain, so it is well suited for surface preparation.
2. 急いで仕上げたせいか、レポートの内容が全体的に粗い印象だ。 Perhaps because it was finished in a rush, the report gives an overall impression of being rough and unpolished.
3. 粗い布地は肌に当たると不快だが、丈夫さは申し分ない。 Coarse fabric can be uncomfortable against the skin, but its durability is beyond question.

Usage Guide

Context: crafts, materials, work quality, texture

Tone: descriptive

Origin & History

From classical Japanese 粗し (arashi — rough, crude). The kanji 粗 (so/ara) means coarse or crude, appearing also in 粗末 (somatsu — poor quality) and 粗雑 (sozatsu — careless, rough).

Cultural Context

Era: Classical-Modern

Generation: Adult

Social background: General