Translation and Meaning of: 滑らか - nameraka

If you are learning Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 滑らか (なめらか). It is frequently used in daily life and in various contexts, but its meaning goes beyond a simple translation. In this article, we will explore what this word represents, how it is written, its origin, and even tips for memorizing it efficiently. If you want to understand how the Japanese use it in everyday situations or in cultural expressions, keep reading!

The meaning and uses of 滑らか

The word 滑らか describes something that is smooth, sleek, or fluid, both in a physical and metaphorical sense. It can be used to refer to textures, such as soft skin or silky fabric, but also to harmonious movements, like a dance or the speech of someone who expresses themselves naturally. In Japanese, it carries a positive connotation, often associated with perfection and the absence of obstacles.

A common example is its use in beauty products. Creams and lotions advertise their effects with the term 滑らか to highlight that they make the skin softer. Similarly, in cooking, desserts like pudding or tofu can be described as なめらか to emphasize their velvety texture. This versatility causes the word to appear in various contexts, from informal conversations to advertising.

The origin and writing of 滑らか

滑らか is composed of the kanji 滑 (slippery, slide) and the suffix らか, which indicates a state or quality. The character 滑, in turn, combines the water radical (氵) with 骨 (bone), suggesting the idea of something that slides easily, like a wet bone. This visual association helps to understand why the term is connected to smoothness and fluidity.

It's worth noting that 滑らか is an adjective in the な-adjective form, which means it can be conjugated in different ways. For example, 滑らかだ (nameraka da) is the affirmative form, while 滑らかではない (nameraka dewa nai) negates the characteristic. This type of inflection is essential for those studying Japanese, as it appears in everyday phrases and in more formal texts.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

An effective way to memorize 滑らか is to associate it with concrete situations. Think of something that has a pleasant texture to the touch, like high-quality fabric or a creamy dessert. Repeating the word while experiencing that sensation can strengthen auditory and tactile memory. Another tip is to create flashcards with images of smooth and soft objects, relating them to the term.

Interestingly, 滑らか also appears in expressions that go beyond the literal meaning. In music, for example, a "smooth" voice can be referred to as 滑らかな声 (nameraka na koe). In the business world, a well-structured and hesitation-free speech can be praised as 滑らかなスピーチ (nameraka na supiichi). These uses demonstrate how the word is embedded in Japanese culture, reflecting values such as harmony and perfection.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• なめらか (nameraka) - Smooth, sleek, wrinkle-free; it is often used to describe textures that are pleasing to the touch.
• 滑らかな (namerakana) - Smooth, sleek; similar to なめらか, but can be used in more formal or literary contexts.
• 滑らかに (namerakani) - Gently, smoothly; used as an adverb, describing the way an action is performed in a gentle manner.
• スムーズ (sumūzu) - Smooth, without interruptions; often used to describe actions or movements that flow seamlessly.

滑らか

Romaji: nameraka
Kana: なめらか
Type: adjective
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: softness; glass

Meaning in English: smoothness;glassiness

Definition: The surface and texture must be smooth.

Example Sentences - (滑らか) nameraka

See below some example sentences:

表面が滑らかです。

Hyōmen ga subarashii desu

The surface is smooth.

The surface is smooth.

• 表面 (hyōmen) - superfície
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 滑らか (nameraka) - soft, smooth, sliding
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense

このアイスクリームは滑らかでとても美味しいです。

Kono aisukurīmu wa subaraka de totemo oishii desu

This ice cream is smooth and very delicious.

This ice cream is smooth and very delicious.

• この - indicates that something is near or present, in this case "this"
• アイスクリーム - "ice cream" in Japanese
• は - particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case "ice cream"
• 滑らか - "soft" or "smooth"
• で - particle indicating the means or method, in this case "de"
• とても - "very"
• 美味しい - "delicious" or "tasty"
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

この断面は非常に滑らかです。

Kono danmen wa hijō ni subarashii desu

This cross section is very smooth.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 断面 - noun meaning "cross-section"
• は - topic particle, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 非常に - adverb meaning "very" or "extremely"
• 滑らか - adjective meaning "soft" or "smooth"
• です - verb to be in the polite form