Entry
バシャバシャ
bashabasha
A word that describes the vigorous sound of water splashing or the repeated clicking of a camera shutter.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
An onomatopoeia used primarily for two situations: the sound of water being splashed loudly and vigorously (like playing in a pool), and the continuous clicking sound of a camera taking multiple pictures.
- Loud splashing of water
- Repeated camera clicking
Sense Map
Splashing water
The sound of water being splashed loudly or vigorously, such as when swimming, playing in puddles, or washing one's face.
プールでバシャバシャ泳ぐ。
Clicking a camera
The mechanical, repetitive sound of a camera shutter when taking many photos in succession.
カメラでパシャパシャ撮る。
Usage Note
How to Use
バシャバシャと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an action (like swimming, washing, or photographing) is done with that specific sound.
バシャバシャ + verb
Functions identically to the above, but dropping the particle 'と' makes the sentence sound slightly more casual.
バシャバシャする
Used as a verb meaning 'to splash around' or 'to make a splashing sound'.
How to Use
Common Phrases
バシャバシャと水をはねる
to splash water around
パシャパシャと写真を撮る
to snap photos repeatedly
バシャバシャ洗う
to wash with a splash
バシャバシャ泳ぐ
to swim splashingly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Splashing intensity | neutral | バシャバシャ (bashabasha) is loud, rough, and forceful. パシャパシャ (pashapasha) is lighter, typically used for small or gentle splashes like washing one's face. |
| Photography sessions | neutral | It usually implies a rapid burst of photos being taken, similar to a press conference or a professional photoshoot. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
じゃぶじゃぶ じゃぶじゃぶ / similar | For the sound of wading through deeper water or washing something vigorously with plenty of water. | Focuses more on activities deeply immersed in water or heavy laundry, rather than just surface splashing. | 川の中をじゃぶじゃぶ歩く。 |
かしゃかしゃ かしゃかしゃ / similar | For the mechanical sound of cameras, machines, or hard objects hitting each other. | Strictly used for hard/mechanical objects, never used to describe water or liquid. | カメラがカシャカシャ鳴る。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using bashabasha for the sound of drinking a large amount of water.
Bashabasha is only for external splashing. For gulping down drinks, use がぶがぶ (gabugabu).
Using bashabasha for a single camera click.
For a single snap, use パシャッ (pashat). The repeated word implies continuous, repetitive clicking.
Examples
Examples
子供たちがプールでバシャバシャと水遊びをしている。
こどもたちがプールでバシャバシャとみずあそびをしている。
The children are splashing around playfully in the pool.
LiteralRefers to loud, vigorous splashing in the water.
車がバシャバシャと水たまりをはねていった。
くるまがバシャバシャとみずたまりをはねていった。
The car drove by, splashing loudly through the puddles.
LiteralShows the heavy splash of a vehicle hitting water.
冷たい水で顔をパシャパシャ洗う。
つめたいみずでかおをパシャパシャあらう。
I wash my face by gently splashing cold water on it.
LiteralUses 'pashapasha' to indicate a smaller, lighter splashing sound.
カメラマンがパシャパシャとシャッターを切る。
カメラマンがパシャパシャとシャッターをきる。
The photographer clicks the shutter repeatedly and rapidly.
LiteralDescribes the mechanical sound of snapping photos continuously.
お風呂の中で足をバシャバシャさせる。
おふろのなかであしをバシャバシャさせる。
I splash my feet around in the bathtub.
LiteralFocuses on the physical movement that causes the water to splash.
Similar Words
カシャカシャ
kashakasha
Mechanical clicking sounds, like hard plastics, metal, or camera shutters.
Questions
What is the difference between バシャバシャ (bashabasha) and パシャパシャ (pashapasha)?
バシャバシャ is a heavier, louder splash, like thrashing in a pool. パシャパシャ is a lighter, smaller splash, like gently splashing water on your face.
Can I use バシャバシャ for heavy rain?
Generally, no. バシャバシャ implies water being splashed due to physical movement. For pouring rain, you would use ザーザー (zaazaa).
Why is a splashing word used for cameras?
Older cameras and flashbulbs made a physical, sharp mechanical click that sounded like 'pasha!' (パシャッ). When repeated rapidly, it became パシャパシャ.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2755540
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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