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When you encounter Japanese, you’ll probably notice that there are a lot of onomatopoeia in Japanese! This time, we’ll introduce some onomatopoeia commonly used in summer. Let’s find out!😎
ジメジメ(jime-jime)
"ジメジメ” is said to come from 湿る (しめる, shimeru), which is a verb meaning 'to become damp,' 'to become moist,' or 'to become humid.' It commonly refers to the feeling of high humidity, especially during Japan's summer, describing heavy, moist air that feels uncomfortable and muggy.
Example Sentence
A: 雨あがりはすごくジメジメしてるね…
It’s really humid after the rain, isn’t it?
B: 確(たし)かに…外(そと)出(で)たらすぐ汗(あせ)かきそう Yeah… I’ll probably start sweating as soon as I go outside.
カラカラ(Kara-kara)、カラッと(karatto)
dry, thirsty
Usually カラカラ is used for “thirsty”, and カラッと means “dry”. "カラッと" is used to describe weather that is bright and dry with low humidity or fried food that is well-cooked and crispy.
Example Sentence
A: のど渇（かわ）いた〜何（なに ）か飲（の）みたい I’m so thirsty. I want something to drink.
B: カフェ探（さが）そう。もう暑（あつ）くてのどカラカラ。 Let's find a cafe. It's so hot, and I'm really thirsty too.
ジリジリ (jiri-jiri)
scorching
ジリジリ is often used to describe the intense heat of the sun. And it has some other meanings such as “sizzling” and “gradually” too.
Example Sentence
A: 今日（きょう）はほんとにジリジリした暑（あつ）さだね… The heat is really scorching today…
B: 太陽（たいよう）とアスファルトに挟（はさ）まれてやばいよね。焦（こ）げそう。 Being sandwiched between the heat from the sun and the asphalt is intense. Feels like I'm going to burn up.
ベタベタ(beta-beta)
Sticky
Example Sentence
A: 汗(あせ)かきすぎて全身(ぜんしん)がベタベタしてる
I sweat a lot, my whole body feels so sticky now…
B: 体(からだ)がベタベタすると早(はや)くシャワー浴(あ)びたくなるよね
When your body feels sticky, you want to take a shower quickly, right?
サラサラ(sara-sara)
smooth, dry, fine
サラサラ is often used especially for summer hair/skin care products to describe their smooth, lightweight, and non-greasy qualities.
Example Sentence
A:「ベタつく夏（なつ）の髪（かみ）も、サラサラに！」これ買（か）おうかな "Even sticky summer hair can become smooth and silky!” I might buy this.
B: それ前（まえ）使（つか）ってみたけど良（よ）かったよ I used that before and it was good.
今週も読んでくれてありがとう！また来週✌️! Thanks for reading this newsletter! See you next week ✌️!
Thanks for reading FusenClub! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. Summer is here! 🌞 In Japan, the heat and humidity team up to create some real challenges. It's not uncommon to lose your appetite, struggle with sleep, and feel a bit off. This is collectively called '夏バテ (Natsu-bate)' and is only used for summer.
