Entry
べらべら
berabera
Describes someone talking incessantly and indiscreetly, or a material that is cheap, thin, and flimsy.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
べらべら primarily represents the action of talking non-stop, often revealing secrets or speaking indiscreetly about things that should be kept quiet. Secondarily, it describes physical objects like fabric or paper that are conspicuously thin, cheap, or flimsy.
- Talking non-stop
- Blabbing secrets
- Flimsy material
Sense Map
Blabbing & Chattering
Describes someone talking incessantly without stopping, often revealing secrets, gossiping, or saying things they shouldn't.
秘密をべらべらしゃべる
Thin & Flimsy (Texture)
Describes materials like cloth or paper that are unreliably thin, cheap-feeling, and lack substance.
べらべらの生地
Usage Note
How to Use
べらべら（と） + verb
Used with communication verbs like 話す (to speak) or しゃべる (to chat) to show the action of talking continuously without filtering one's words.
べらべらの + noun
Used before a noun to describe something (usually cloth or paper) as very thin and cheaply made.
べらべらだ
Used at the end of a sentence to state that a material is thin and of poor quality.
How to Use
Common Phrases
秘密をべらべらしゃべる
blabbing secrets
べらべら（と）話す
talking incessantly
べらべらの布
flimsy cloth
べらべらしゃべりまくる
talking non-stop
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Revealing secrets | Negative | Conveys annoyance toward someone who thoughtlessly spreads rumors or secrets. |
| Material quality | Negative | Expresses disappointment with poorly-made, flimsy items. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぺらぺら ぺらぺら / contrast | Use for speaking a foreign language fluently, or for neutrally thin paper. | ペラペラ has a positive sense for language fluency, whereas べらべら is negative (blabbing, oversharing). | 英語をペラペラ話す |
へらへら へらへら / nearby | Use for smiling or laughing foolishly, often to evade responsibility. | ヘラヘラ describes facial expression and attitude, not the volume or content of speech like べらべら. | ヘラヘラ笑う |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using べらべら to praise someone's fluency in Japanese.
Use ペラペラ (perapera) for fluency. べらべら implies talking too much or blabbing secrets, so it sounds like an insult.
Using it for thin but high-quality materials.
べらべら implies the material is cheap and flimsy. For high-quality thinness, use 薄い (usui) or 薄手 (usude).
Examples
Examples
彼は会社の秘密をべらべらしゃべってしまった。
かれ は かいしゃ の ひみつ を べらべら しゃべって しまった。
He indiscreetly blabbed the company's secrets.
LiteralHere, べらべら implies speaking without considering the consequences, typical for leaking secrets.
安く買った服は、生地がべらべらだった。
やすく かった ふく は、 きじ が べらべら だった。
The clothes I bought cheaply had flimsy, poor-quality fabric.
VisualDescribes material that lacks proper thickness and feels cheap.
彼女は自分のことばかりべらべらと話す。
かのじょ は じぶん の こと ばかり べらべら と はなす。
She just talks non-stop about herself.
LiteralShows the annoying aspect of talking continuously without listening to others.
そのチラシはべらべらの紙に印刷されている。
その チラシ は べらべら の かみ に いんさつ されている。
That flyer is printed on flimsy, cheap paper.
VisualUsed to emphasize the unreliably thin quality of the paper.
聞かれてもいないのに、彼は他人の噂をべらべら言った。
きかれて も いない のに、 かれ は たにん の うわさ を べらべら いった。
Even though nobody asked, he blabbed gossip about others.
LiteralHighlights the thoughtless spreading of rumors or unverified information.
Similar Words
ペラペラ
perapera
Speaking a foreign language fluently, or referring to something that is very thin and flimsy. ペラペラ is for language fluency or neutral thinness, while べらべら implies indiscreet talking or cheap flimsiness.
ヘラヘラ
herahera
To laugh or smile in a foolish, thoughtless, or flippant manner. ヘラヘラ refers to foolish laughing, while べらべら refers to excessive, indiscreet talking.
Questions
Can I say my friend is べらべら at Japanese?
No, that would mean they talk too much or blab secrets. Use ペラペラ (perapera) for language fluency.
Is べらべら only used for people talking?
Mostly, but it can also describe cheap, flimsy materials like a 'berabera shirt'.
Does べらべら imply a loud voice?
Not necessarily loud, but continuous and indiscreet. The focus is on the uncontrolled flow of words.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1011500
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- Needs review
- Active language
- English
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