Telling the Texture! Cute Japanese Expressions

What cute Japanese expressions do you know?

Japanese adverbs include words that describe the state of things in detail.

Words that are formed by combining words into a single word are called “Jogo (畳語)”.

For example:

• きらきら Kirakira 
• さらさら Sara sara
• ほのぼの Hono bono
• すくすく Suku suku 

The word ” Jogo” may sound difficult, but don’t worry.

Most Japanese people do not even know the word “Jogo”.

It is a simple word, but it is not the language of young children, and is commonly spoken and heard in daily life.

It is casually used in various situations.

In this issue, we will introduce some cute Japanese words related to the “texture of food.”

What is ふわふわ fuwa fuwa?

What comes to mind when you hear the word “fuwa fuwa”?

Most Japanese people think of bread.

You see it in commercials and at bakeries as “fuwa fuwa bread” or “fuwa fuwa texture.”

Japanese people love soft and fluffy bread.

Japanese words for texture like this remind us of what kind of food we are eating.

And it is important to understand what kind of condition the food is in.

Cute words to describe texture

「さくさく Saku saku」

Fried pork cutlets, fried shrimp, croquettes, tempura, and curry buns.

Used when fried food is crispy.

「かりかり Kari kari」

French fries, well-cooked bacon, and small hard pickled plums

Use for slightly hard and chewy foods.

「ぷりぷり Puri puri」

Shrimp, squid, and octopus.

Used for firm and chewy foods.

「ほくほく Hoku hoku」

Sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and chestnuts.

Often used for autumn foods.

「あつあつ Atsu atsu」

Ramen, soup, sukiyaki, and takoyaki.

Used for foods cooked warm.

「ねばねば Neba neba」

Natto, okra, yams, and nameko mushrooms.

Used for sticky foods.

Is it different from onomatopoeia?

Onomatopoeia is a language that uses verbal onomatopoeia, mimetic words, and gibberish to describe the state of things, movements, and animal noises.

Wan wan, doki doki, za- za,Sube sube, and so on.

Onomatopoeia is not only formed by combining words into a single word:

• はくしょん　Hakushon
• がっかり　Gakkari
• うんざり　Unzari
• ガシャン　Gashan
• パチン　Pachin
• おぎゃー　Ogyaa

There are many different ways of expression.

“Jogo” is a part of onomatopoeia.

There are many more cute Japanese words to describe food.

Let’s check out what words are used for ingredients, cooking methods, and food conditions!

You are sure to find a cute expression.

How many words can you say to describe the texture?

Let’s talk about food at Ohanashi Kagawa!