Translation and Meaning of: 粗筋 - arasuji

If you have ever read a manga, watched an anime, or even skimmed through a Japanese book, you have probably come across the word 粗筋 [あらすじ]. This term, which means "outline" or "summary," is essential for quickly understanding plots, whether in movie synopses, book descriptions, or even in everyday conversations. In this article, we will delve into the etymology, practical uses, and even tips for effectively memorizing this kanji — perfect for those studying Japanese and looking to go beyond the basics.

In addition to uncovering the origin and meaning of 粗筋, you will discover how this word is used in everyday life in Japan, from quick notes to professional summaries. And if you use Anki or another spaced repetition method, get ready to learn practical phrases that will embed this vocabulary in your mind. Shall we?

Etymology and writing of 粗筋

The word 粗筋 is composed of two kanji: 粗 (あら), which carries the idea of "rough" or "unfinished," and 筋 (すじ), which means "line" or "trace." Together, they create the image of a narrative skeleton — something that is not yet polished, but already outlines the main structure. It is no wonder that this term is often used for story summaries, where only the key points are highlighted.

Interestingly, the kanji 粗 also appears in words like 粗品 (simple gift) or 粗探し (fault finding), always conveying the notion of something unrefined. On the other hand, 筋 is a versatile character, found in like 筋書き (script) and even 筋肉 (muscle). Can you see how the combination of these ideograms makes complete sense for something that is a "rough summary"?

Lies in Japanese everyday life

In Japan, あらすじ is as common as "synopsis" in Portuguese. You find it on book covers, episode descriptions of doramas, and even in fan posts discussing manga plots. A classic example? Before watching a movie on the Netflix Japan site, it’s almost certain that you will come across a text starting with 「あらすじ」 explaining the plot in a few lines.

But it goes beyond entertainment. Professionals use 粗筋 to create outlines for reports or presentations — imagine those bullet points you make before developing a complete idea. A valuable tip: if you are writing a formal email at work and need to summarize a project, saying 「こちらがプロジェクトの粗筋です」 ("Here is the outline of the project") sounds natural and efficient.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

To reinforce 粗筋, how about associating the first kanji (粗) with a rough block of wood and the second (筋) with the lines of your notebook? Visualize someone jotting down the main points of a story on a sheet — exactly what the word represents. Another trick is to that あらすじ sounds like "rice" (あら) + "sushi" (すじ), as if it were a dish not yet finished by the chef.

An interesting cultural tidbit: in Japan, it's common for literary magazines to publish あらすじ of classic novels in comic form (the so-called マンガ版あらすじ), helping readers grasp the essence of dense works in minutes. And if you are a fan of Detective Conan, you may have noticed that almost every episode begins with a narrator recapping 前回のあらすじ ("the summary of the last episode") — yet another proof of how this term is embedded in the media.