あられ

Alternative writings:
JLPT:N1
Frequency:
1

Small pellets of ice falling as precipitation (hailstones usually under about 5 mm); graupel.

NounUsually Kana

Examples

天気予報で午後はあられが降ると言っていた。

The weather forecast said hail/graupel will fall this afternoon.

外を見ると、白いあられが屋根に積もっていた。

Looking outside, I saw white graupel accumulated on the roof.

あられが混じるような強い風で、傘が壊れそうになった。

The strong wind mixed with graupel almost broke my umbrella.

2

A culinary term meaning small dicing (cutting ingredients into small cubes) or the small diced pieces themselves.

NounFood, CookingUsually Kana

Examples

サラダ用にきゅうりをあられ切りにしてください。

Please dice the cucumber into small cubes for the salad.

このスープには玉ねぎのあられが入っていると食感がいい。

The soup is nicer in texture when it contains small diced onions.

レシピではじゃがいもをあられに切って揚げると書いてある。

The recipe says to cut the potatoes into small dice and fry them.

3

Small roasted or fried pieces of mochi (often flavored with soy sauce, etc.), a traditional snack sometimes called arare.

NounAbbreviationUsually Kana

Examples

お正月に母が作ったあられを家族で食べた。

We ate the arare my mother made for New Year's with the family.

しょうゆ味のあられはお茶請けにぴったりだ。

Soy sauce–flavored arare goes perfectly with tea.

Word Relationships

Synonyms