Entry
ばさばさ
basabasa
An onomatopoeia describing the sound of large objects flapping or a dry, coarse, and untidy state, especially of hair.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Basabasa is primarily used in two ways: to describe the dry, rustling sound of large thin surfaces moving (like wings or thick paper) and to describe a physical state where something is dry, coarse, and lacking moisture, most commonly applied to damaged hair.
- The sound or motion of flapping or rustling large surfaces
- A dry, coarse, and disheveled state of hair or materials
Sense Map
Movement and Sound
The sound produced by large, thin objects moving or flapping, such as bird wings or a large flag in the wind.
大きな鳥が羽をばさばささせる
Texture and Condition
A state where a surface is dry, rough, and untidy. Highly common when referring to damaged or neglected hair.
髪がばさばさになる
Usage Note
How to Use
ばさばさする
Used as a verb to indicate that something exhibits the characteristics or makes the sound of basabasa.
ばさばさしている
The progressive form used to describe a current state, very common for describing how hair feels or looks right now.
ばさばさした + noun
Functions as an adjective to describe a noun that has a dry or coarse quality, such as hair or cloth.
ばさばさと + verb
An adverbial form describing the manner of an action, such as flapping wings or cutting something abruptly.
How to Use
Common Phrases
髪がばさばさ
dry and frizzy hair
羽をばさばささせる
to flap wings loudly
ばさばさと切る
to cut down decisively or one after another
ばさばさした布
coarse and stiff cloth
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Appearance | negative | Suggests damaged hair that lacks moisture or proper care. |
| Nature/Animals | neutral | Describes the natural but noisy flapping of a large bird's wings. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぼさぼさ ぼさぼさ / similar | Used when the focus is purely on hair being messy, wild, or untidy (e.g., bedhead). | Basabasa emphasizes the dry, coarse texture more than the messiness itself. | 起きたばかりで髪がボサボサだ |
ぱさぱさ ぱさぱさ / similar | Used for a lighter dry texture, or for food like bread that has lost its moisture. | Basabasa feels heavier, coarser, and noisier compared to the light dryness of pasapasa. | このパンはパサパサしている |
がさがさ がさがさ / similar | Used for very rough textures on the skin or the rustling of thin paper. | Basabasa usually refers to larger objects or hair, while gasagasa focuses on surface roughness or smaller rustling sounds. | 手が乾燥してガサガサだ |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using basabasa to describe dry food.
Use pasapasa for food. Basabasa is for hair, cloth, or heavy flapping sounds.
Thinking basabasa only means messy hair.
It specifically implies a dry, damaged texture. If it's just tangled but healthy, use bosabosa.
Examples
Examples
大きな鷲が羽をばさばさとさせて空へ飛び立った。
おおきなわしがはねをばさばさとさせてそらへとびたった。
A large eagle flapped its wings noisily and took off into the sky.
LiteralDescribes the sound of powerful wing flapping.
プールに入った後、髪がばさばさになってしまった。
ぷーるにはいったあと、かみがばさばさになってしまった。
After getting in the pool, my hair became dry and frizzy.
VisualIndicates hair texture damaged by chlorine.
古い本を開くと、紙がばさばさと音を立てた。
ふるいほんをひらくと、かみがばさばさとおとをたてた。
When I opened the old book, the paper made a dry rustling sound.
LiteralDescribes the sound of thick, dry paper.
彼女は長い髪をばさばさと振り乱して走った。
かのじょはながいかみをばさばさとふりみだしてはしった。
She ran with her long, dry hair flying about in a mess.
VisualA combination of dry texture and untidy movement.
庭の大きな枯れ葉が、風でばさばさと揺れている。
にわのおおきなかれはが、かぜでばさばさとゆれている。
The large dry leaves in the garden are rustling in the wind.
VisualSound and motion of leaves that have lost their moisture.
Similar Words
ボサボサ
bosabosa
The state of hair or bristles being tangled and messy, or the act of idling away time doing nothing. Focuses on the messy shape of the hair.
パサパサ
pasapasa
Describes the state of lacking moisture or natural oils, resulting in an unpleasantly dry or coarse texture. Lighter, used for food or slight dryness.
がさがさ
gasagasa
Describes a harsh rustling sound or a dry, rough texture that feels unpleasantly coarse to the touch. Very rough texture on the skin surface.
Questions
Can basabasa be used for dry skin?
Usually, gasagasa or kasakasa are used for rough or dry skin. Basabasa is much more common for hair.
What is the main difference between basabasa and pasapasa?
The 'B' sound in basabasa suggests something larger, louder, or coarser than the 'P' sound in pasapasa.
Is basabasa a rude word?
It's a neutral descriptive word, but using it to describe someone's hair can be seen as a negative critique of their appearance.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1010260
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- Needs review
- Active language
- English
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- はっと (hatto)
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