つぶ
Alternative readings: りゅう
JLPT:N2
Frequency:
1

A small grain, bead, or drop — a tiny, often round unit such as a grain of sugar or a teardrop.

Noun

Examples

砂糖の粒がコーヒーに溶けた。

The grains of sugar dissolved in the coffee.

彼の目に涙の粒が浮かんだ。

A drop of tear welled up in his eye.

ぶどうの一粒をゆっくり味わった。

I slowly savored one grape.

ビーズは小さな粒でできている。

The beads are made of small grains/pearls.

2

A counter for small round objects (grains, seeds, pills, drops): ichi-tsubu, ni-tsubu, etc.

Counter

Examples

あめを一粒だけ食べていいよ。

You may eat just one candy.

風邪薬を一粒飲んでください。

Please take one pill of the cold medicine.

小石が三粒ポケットに入っていた。

Three small stones were in the pocket.

Word Relationships

Synonyms
Derivations