What is the difference between つるつる and ずるずる?

つるつる describes smooth texture or movement, while ずるずる describes the sound of slurping noodles.

Can I use つるつる for things other than noodles?

Yes. つるつる can describe smooth surfaces, such as smooth skin, polished floors, or slippery objects.

JapaneseJul 31, 2026

Learn how tsurutsuru and zuruzuru describe two different parts of the experience of eating udon in Japanese.

これはすき焼やきうどんです😋

This is sukiyaki udon.

うどんを食たべるとき、「つるつる」と言いいます。

When eating udon, we say “tsurutsuru.”

うどんが口くちの中なかにすべって入はいるときに使つかいます。

It is used when udon smoothly slides into your mouth.

「つるつる、おいしい！」

“Tsurutsuru, delicious!”

「ずるずる」もうどんを食たべるときに使つかうオノマトペ（おのまとぺ）です。

“Zuruzuru” is also an onomatopoeia used when eating udon.

音おとを出だして食たべるときに使つかいます。

It is used when making a slurping sound while eating.

「うどんをずるずる食たべます。」

“I slurp udon.” / “I eat udon with a slurping sound.”

日本にほんでは、音おとを出だしてうどんやそばを食たべてもいいです。

In Japan, it is okay to make sounds when eating udon or soba.

「つるつる」と「ずるずる」、おもしろいオノマトペ（おのまとぺ）ですね！

“Tsurutsuru” and “zuruzuru”—what interesting onomatopoeia!

Want to practice more Japanese sound words? Explore Japanese Onomatopoeia

Read 「食べる」 as 「たべる」 and 「音を出す」 as 「おとをだす」. Notice how the repeated sounds in 「つるつる」 and 「ずるずる」 make the expressions vivid and memorable.

「つるつる」 focuses on the noodles’ smooth texture and movement.
「ずるずる」 focuses on the audible slurping sound made while eating noodles.
Japanese onomatopoeia can describe texture, movement, sound, and feeling with a single expressive word.

What is the difference between つるつる and ずるずる?つるつる describes smooth texture or movement, while ずるずる describes the sound of slurping noodles.
Can I use つるつる for things other than noodles?Yes. つるつる can describe smooth surfaces, such as smooth skin, polished floors, or slippery objects.