Entry
バリバリ
baribari
バリバリ describes doing something with intense energy and force, such as working highly effectively, tearing things roughly, or eating hard food with a loud crunch.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This versatile word originally mimics a loud, forceful sound like tearing thick paper, scratching, or crunching hard food. Metaphorically, it is widely used to describe someone working with extreme energy and competence, or to indicate that a material like fabric is very stiff and starchy.
- working energetically
- loud tearing or scratching
- loud crunchy eating
- stiff and crisp texture
Sense Map
Energetic Action
Working highly effectively and with great energy.
バリバリ働く
Sound (Tearing/Scratching)
A loud, rough sound of tearing thick paper, fabric, or scratching a hard surface.
紙をバリバリ破く
Sound (Crunching)
Loudly crunching hard food like thick crackers, ice, or hard candy.
せんべいをバリバリ食べる
Texture (Stiff)
A very stiff, rigid texture, often from being heavily starched or frozen.
バリバリのシャツ
Usage Note
How to Use
バリバリと + verb
Used to emphasize the action of making a loud, forceful sound or doing something vigorously.
バリバリ + verb
Often used without particles when describing someone working efficiently and energetically.
バリバリの + noun
Modifies a noun to describe a stiff state or someone's status as fully active.
バリバリに + verb
Describes the resulting state of an action making something completely stiff or frozen.
How to Use
Common Phrases
バリバリ働く
to work energetically and effectively
バリバリと破く
to tear roughly with a loud sound
バリバリ食べる
to eat crunchingly
バリバリの現役
fully active on the front lines
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Describing work or performance | positive | Implies the person is highly capable, active, and productive. |
| Eating food | neutral | Indicates the food is hard and makes a loud crunching sound, which can sometimes be considered bad manners if too loud. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぱりぱり ぱりぱり / similar | Use for thin, light, and delicate crispiness like thin potato chips, dry leaves, or thin ice. | Does not have the forceful, heavy, or intense energy of baribari. | パリパリのポテトチップス |
もりもり もりもり / similar | Use to express swelling energy, hearty appetite, or growing enthusiasm. | Focuses on volume and appetite rather than the forceful efficiency or loud sound of baribari. | もりもり食べる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using baribari for delicate, thin crispy snacks.
Use paripari instead; baribari implies a thick, hard crunch that requires strong teeth.
Assuming baribari implies being frantically busy and stressed.
Baribari actually has a positive nuance of being highly capable, efficient, and getting things done actively.
Examples
Examples
彼はいまも第一線でバリバリ働いている。
かれはいまもだいいっせんでバリバリはたらいている。
He is still working energetically on the front lines.
FigurativeDescribes outstanding capability and efficient performance.
猫が柱をバリバリと引っ掻いている。
ねこがはしらをバリバリとひっかいている。
The cat is scratching the pillar vigorously.
LiteralFocuses on the loud, forceful sound produced by the scratching.
硬いせんべいをバリバリと噛み砕く。
かたいせんべいをバリバリとかみくだく。
Crunching a hard rice cracker loudly.
LiteralIndicates the noisy sound of hard food being crushed by strong teeth.
シャツに糊をきかせてバリバリにする。
シャツにのりをきかせてバリバリにする。
Starching the shirt to make it very stiff.
VisualDescribes the physically stiff state of the clothing material.
包み紙をバリバリと破って開けた。
つつみがみをバリバリとやぶってあけた。
Tearing the wrapping paper roughly to open it.
LiteralShows the action of opening a package with strong force and loud noise.
Similar Words
パリパリ
paripari
Describes a crisp, crunchy texture or sound, as well as the stiff feel of brand-new bills or starched shirts. For thin and light crispiness.
もりもり
morimori
This word describes doing something with great physical vitality, such as eating heartily with a big appetite, working energetically, or having bulging muscles. Focuses on appetite and swelling energy.
ゴリゴリ
gorigori
Gorigori describes a scraping sound, a very hard texture, severe muscle stiffness, or an uncompromising, hardcore attitude.
ガンガン
gangan
Gangan describes a loud, repetitive clanging sound, a severe throbbing headache, or performing an action with intense energy.
がりがり
garigari
This word describes a loud crunching or scratching sound, a very hard texture, or an unhealthily thin, bony body.
カリカリ
karikari
カリカリ describes a hard, crisp texture in food, a light repetitive scratching sound, or a state of being irritable and edgy.
Questions
Can I use baribari to describe potato chips?
Usually, thin potato chips are paripari. Baribari is better suited for thick, hard snacks like thick rice crackers or ice.
What does it mean to call someone a baribari no gen'eki?
It means they are fully active on the front lines. It praises them for still working energetically and producing results.
Is baribari a formal word?
No, it is conversational and casual, though it is very common and acceptable to use in business environments when praising a colleague's high performance.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1010340
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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