Entry
べったり
bettari
Describes something sticking firmly without gaps, applying a thick layer, sitting down heavily, or being emotionally dependent and clingy.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
べったり (bettari) is used to describe something adhering tightly to a surface without any gaps, such as a strong sticker or a thick layer of paint. It can also describe a heavy sitting motion where one's full weight drops to the floor. In interpersonal contexts, it refers to a person who is overly clingy, dependent, and lacks personal independence within a relationship.
- Sticking tightly
- Applying thickly
- Sitting down heavily
- Clingy/dependent
Sense Map
Sticking Firmly
Something adhering tightly to a surface without leaving any gaps or air bubbles.
シールがべったりくっつく。
Applied Thickly
Applying a thick layer of liquid or paste, such as paint, glue, or makeup.
絵の具をべったり塗る。
Sitting Heavily
Sitting down heavily so that one's weight completely rests on the floor or chair.
床にべったり座り込む。
Emotional Clinging
Being overly dependent or clingy towards a parent or partner, often implying a lack of independence.
母親にべったりだ。
Usage Note
How to Use
べったり（と）+ verb
Functions as an adverb describing the action of sticking firmly, applying thickly, or sitting heavily.
べったりだ
Acts as a predicate describing the state of being firmly stuck or being overly dependent.
noun + にべったり
Indicates the surface or the person that someone/something is clinging to.
How to Use
Common Phrases
べったりくっつく
stick tightly without gaps
べったり塗る
apply thickly
べったり座る
sit down heavily
母親にべったり
clingy to one's mother
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Physical objects | neutral | Indicates that the entire surface is attached tightly without any air bubbles or empty space. |
| Applying substances | neutral | Means applying a large amount thickly, leaving a heavy layer of material behind. |
| Human relationships | negative | Often carries a negative nuance, describing someone who is overly dependent and cannot function independently. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
べたべた べたべた / similar | Used when feeling an uncomfortable stickiness on the skin, or when many things are pasted randomly all over. | べったり focuses on a firm, gapless adhesion in one spot, not just a mildly annoying sticky feeling or texture. | 汗でシャツがベタベタする。 |
ぺったり ぺったり / similar | Used when a thin or light object sticks flatly to a surface. | べったり implies a thicker, heavier, or stronger mass sticking tightly compared to the lighter ぺったり. | 髪が汗でぺったりする。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using べったり to describe a humid day or skin sticky with sweat.
Use ベタベタ (betabeta) or じめじめ (jimejime) for unpleasant humidity or stickiness. べったり is strictly for things adhering completely without gaps.
Thinking a 'べったり couple' is a romantic compliment.
In relationships, べったり has a negative nuance, implying that someone is overly clingy or lacks independence.
Examples
Examples
ポスターが壁にべったりと貼られている。
ポスターがかべに[べったり]とはられている。
The poster is pasted tightly to the wall without any gaps.
LiteralFocuses on tight adhesion with no air in between.
パンにジャムをべったり塗る。
パンにジャムを[べったり]ぬる。
Applying jam very thickly on the bread.
LiteralIndicates a thick and thorough layer of application.
疲れて床にべったり座り込んだ。
つかれてゆかに[べったり]すわりこんだ。
Exhausted, I sat down heavily on the floor.
VisualThe entire body weight is dropped down due to fatigue.
彼女はいつも彼氏にべったりだ。
かのじょはいつもかれしに[べったり]だ。
She is always very clingy with her boyfriend.
FigurativeDescribes a lack of independence in a romantic relationship.
休日も親にべったり甘えている。
きゅうじつもおやに[べったり]あまえている。
Even on holidays, they are overly clingy and dependent on their parents.
FigurativeIndicates clingy behavior, unwilling to separate from parental protection.
Similar Words
ベタベタ
betabeta
Describes something physically sticky, the act of pasting things all over, couples clinging or flirting, or something highly cliché and predictable. Focuses on an annoying sticky feeling, while べったり focuses on strong, gapless adhesion.
ぺったり
pettari
Describes something that sticks closely and flatly to a surface without gaps or volume. Used for thin objects sticking flatly, whereas べったり has a thicker/heavier nuance.
どっかり
dokkari
Describes the action of sitting down heavily or placing a heavy object down solidly.
Questions
Can べったり be used for clothes sticky with sweat?
Only if the wet fabric is completely plastered to the skin without moving. For a general uncomfortable sticky feeling, use ベタベタ (betabeta).
Is it insulting to say someone is べったり with their mother?
For a toddler, it is a normal observation. For an adult, it implies they are overly dependent and immature.
What is the difference between べったり and ぴったり?
ぴったり means fitting perfectly in size or shape. べったり means firmly plastered or glued, focusing on the strength of adhesion rather than dimension.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1011480
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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