ラメ
rame
The Japanese word for "glitter" is ラメ (rame).
ラメ is a noun used to refer to a shiny, decorative adornment. It is most commonly used when discussing craft supplies or cosmetics, such as glittery eye shadow.
Meaning: shiny, decoractive adornment (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
ラメ is a loanword derived from the German word Lametta, and it refers to glitter or tinsel.
Which one should you use?
While ラメ is the noun used for the physical substance itself, キラキラする is an onomatopoeic verb used to describe the action of sparkling or the visual appearance of something glittering.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
rame
Did you know?
- In Japanese cosmetics, there is a strict distinction between ラメ and パール. While ラメ refers to distinct, sparkling particles, パール describes a smooth, pearlescent sheen.
- In Japanese manga and anime, a character's 'glittering' aura is often drawn as actual small stars or circles around the head to visually represent the word キラキラ.
- The word ラメ is a loanword from the French word 'lamé', which refers to fabric woven with gold or silver threads.
Examples in context
- 私の指輪はキラキラしています。My ring is glittering.
- その星々がキラキラ輝いている。The stars are glittering.
- その宝石は光を反射してギラギラしている。The gemstone is reflecting light and glittering.
- クリスマスのツリーがピカピカしている。The Christmas tree is glittering.
- 子供たちの目がピカピカしていて、とてもかわいい。The children's eyes are sparkling and very cute.
- 彼女の新しいネイルがキラキラしているよ。Her new nails are glittering.
- このスカートはキラキラしていて、私のお気に入りだ。This skirt is glittering, and it's my favorite.
- このネイルにはラメが入っています。Kono neiru ni wa rame ga haitte imasu.This nail polish has glitter in it.
- ラメがキラキラしていて綺麗です。Rame ga kirakira shite ite kirei desu.The glitter is sparkling and beautiful.
- 手作りカードにラメを塗りました。Tezukuri kādo ni rame o nurimashita.I applied glitter to the handmade card.
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are shopping for cosmetics.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵さんはどの色がいいと思いますか？Himari-san wa dono iro ga ii to omoimasu ka?Which color do you think is good, Himari?
- 陽葵 Himariこっちのラメがキラキラしてて可愛いです。Kocchi no rame ga kirakira shitete kawaii desu.The glitter on this one is sparkly and cute.
- 健太 Kenta確かに、すごく華やかな感じですね。Tashika ni, sugoku hanayaka na kanji desu ne.True, it feels very glamorous.
- 陽葵 Himariぜひこれを試してみてください。Zehi kore o tameshite mite kudasai.Please give this one a try.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ラメ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
