Entry
ビロビロ
birobiro
Birobiro describes something thin and loose flapping around, a stretched-out shape, or someone acting sloppily.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Birobiro is a Japanese mimetic word that primarily describes the flapping, waving motion of loose, thin materials like stretched fabric or a wagging tongue. Figuratively, it can also describe someone acting in an idle, sloppy manner or being foolishly lovestruck without discipline.
- Loose flapping
- Stretched collar
- Waggling tongue
- Sloppily lovestruck
Sense Map
Loose & Flapping
Used to describe thin, worn, or loose materials like fabric or paper flapping without tension.
破れたポスターがビロビロと揺れる。
Stretched Out
Describes clothing or elastic that has lost its shape and become loose.
シャツの首元がビロビロに伸びる。
Waggling Tongue
Describes a tongue sticking out and moving around loosely.
犬が舌をビロビロさせる。
Sloppy & Lovestruck
Describes a person acting in a lazy, sloppy manner, or losing their composure due to infatuation.
彼女の前でビロビロしている。
Usage Note
How to Use
ビロビロ（と）+ verb
Acts as an adverb describing the manner of flapping or waving.
ビロビロする
A verb meaning to be sloppy, lovestruck, or to act loosely.
ビロビロに + verb
Describes a change in state, usually meaning something became stretched out.
ビロビロの + noun
Acts as a modifier for a noun, like a 'stretched-out shirt'.
How to Use
Common Phrases
首元がビロビロになる
collar becomes stretched out
ビロビロに伸びる
stretch out loosely
舌をビロビロさせる
waggle one's tongue
ビロビロと動く
flap about loosely
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Worn clothing | Negative | Implies the item has lost its shape and looks untidy. |
| Tongue | Neutral | Describes a loose, wagging motion, often seen in animals. |
| Behavior | Negative | Carries a sense of lacking discipline or being foolishly infatuated. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ばたばた ばたばた / contrast | Use for forceful, noisy flapping, like a bird's wings or a flag in strong wind. | Birobiro lacks tension and describes a loose, floppy wave rather than a frantic or forceful flap. | 鳥がバタバタと飛ぶ。 |
ぴらぴら ぴらぴら / similar | Use for small, light, thin things fluttering gently, like a single sheet of paper or a ribbon. | Birobiro implies something wider, longer, or more worn out and lacking tension compared to pirapira. | 紙がピラピラ揺れる。 |
でれでれ でれでれ / similar | Use for being overtly affectionate or lovestruck. | Birobiro focuses on the sloppy, posture-losing aspect of being infatuated. | 彼女にデレデレする。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using birobiro for loud, forceful flapping like bird wings.
Use batabata instead. Birobiro is for loose, floppy things without tension.
Using it for physical looseness of hard objects like screws.
Birobiro applies only to thin, pliable materials (cloth, paper, tongue) or figurative sloppy behavior.
Examples
Examples
洗濯しすぎて、シャツの首元がビロビロになってしまった。
せんたくしすぎて、シャツのくびもとがビロビロになってしまった。
The collar of this shirt has become stretched out from washing it too much.
VisualThis is the most common usage for fabric that has stretched out and lost its shape.
犬が嬉しそうに舌をビロビロと出している。
いぬがうれしそうにしたをビロビロとだしている。
The dog is happily waggling its tongue out.
VisualDescribes a long, hanging tongue moving loosely without tension.
強風で破れたポスターがビロビロと音を立てている。
きょうふうでやぶれたポスターがビロビロとおとをたてている。
The torn poster is flapping loosely and making a sound in the strong wind.
VisualBirobiro here emphasizes that the torn paper is no longer taut and is flapping without tension.
彼は彼女の前だと、だらしなくビロビロしている。
かれはかのじょのまえだと、だらしなくビロビロしている。
He acts sloppily lovestruck when he is in front of his girlfriend.
FigurativeA figurative use showing someone who loses their discipline or composure due to infatuation.
ゴムが古くなってビロビロに伸びきっている。
ゴムがふるくなってビロビロにのびきっている。
The elastic is old and completely stretched out.
VisualSimilar to a T-shirt collar, used for elastic things that have lost their springiness.
Similar Words
バタバタ
batabata
Batabata describes a state of being frantically busy and flustered, or the physical sound of heavy flapping, clattering footsteps, or things falling in quick succession. For louder, more forceful flapping.
ピラピラ
pirapira
ピラピラ (pirapira) describes the light, continuous fluttering or waving motion of thin, lightweight materials like paper or cloth. For small, thin things fluttering gently.
ひらひら
hirahira
Hirahira describes the light, gentle fluttering or flapping motion of thin objects like petals or cloth in the wind, or refers to frilly designs.
デレデレ
deredere
Describes a state of being completely infatuated and fawning over someone, or acting in a lazy and slovenly manner. For being affectionately lovestruck or fawning.
Questions
Can I use birobiro for a bird flying?
No. Birobiro implies a loose, tensionless wave. For a bird's wings, use batabata.
Does birobiro always have a negative meaning?
When applied to clothes or behavior, it usually means 'sloppy' or 'worn out'. But for an animal's tongue, it is just descriptive.
What is the difference between birobiro and deredere?
Both can mean lovestruck. Deredere focuses purely on affection and fawning, while birobiro emphasizes the sloppiness and loss of composure.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2854144
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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