Entry
びたびた
bitabita
Describes a state of being thoroughly drenched in liquid, or figuratively, a romantically intimate relationship where two people are inseparable.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word describes something that is completely soaked, often with liquid clinging heavily to a surface, such as clothes drenched in sweat or rain. Metaphorically, it is used to describe a romantic relationship where a couple is excessively close, intimate, and constantly sticking together.
- Completely soaked by liquid (rain, sweat, water).
- A deeply intimate, inseparable romantic relationship.
Sense Map
Drenched State
Used when clothes, bodies, or surfaces are so wet that liquid clings to them heavily.
汗で服がびたびたになる。
Inseparable Relationship
A metaphor for two people, usually a couple, who are extremely intimate and constantly stick together.
びたびたの関係だ。
Usage Note
How to Use
びたびたになる
Indicates a change of state to becoming drenched or a relationship becoming intensely close.
びたびたの + Noun
Used to modify a noun, such as 'drenched clothes' or 'an inseparable relationship'.
びたびたに + Verb
Functions as an adverb, modifying a verb like 'to get soaked'.
びたびただ
Used at the end of a sentence to state that the subject is drenched or very close.
How to Use
Common Phrases
汗でびたびた
drenched in sweat
雨でびたびたに濡れる
get completely soaked by rain
服がびたびたになる
clothes become completely soaked
びたびたの関係
a very close, inseparable relationship
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Wet clothes or body | Negative | Often describes the uncomfortable sensation of wet clothes clinging to the skin, like after heavy sweating or getting caught in a downpour. |
| Romantic relationships | Neutral to slightly negative | Describes a couple who are always together. It can be used playfully or slightly judgmentally to describe excessive public displays of affection or codependency. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
びしょびしょ びしょびしょ / similar | Use when describing something purely physically soaked with liquid. | Lacks the figurative meaning of an 'overly intimate relationship' that びたびた has. | びしょびしょに濡れる |
ずぶずぶ ずぶずぶ / similar | Use when someone is deeply involved in a situation (often negatively) or sinking into soft matter. | Focuses on 'sinking into' or 'being stuck in deep', rather than surface-level clinging wetness. | ズブズブの関係 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using びたびた to describe something that is only slightly damp.
This word implies extreme wetness. For slightly damp items, use 湿っている (shimette iru).
Using the relationship meaning as a polite compliment to a coworker.
The relationship meaning is casual and can carry a gossipy nuance of being 'too sticky'. Avoid using it in business settings.
Examples
Examples
急に雨が降ってきて、服がびたびたになった。
急に(きゅうに)雨が(あめが)降って(ふって)きて、服が(ふくが)びたびたになった。
It suddenly started raining, and my clothes got completely drenched.
VisualDescribes clothes that are so wet from rain that they cling to the body.
夏の運動の後は、汗でシャツがびたびただ。
夏(なつ)の運動の(うんどうの)後は(あとは)、汗で(あせで)シャツがびたびただ。
After exercising in the summer, my shirt is drenched in sweat.
VisualA typical usage for clothing made heavy and wet by sweat.
水をこぼしてしまい、床がびたびたに濡れている。
水(みず)をこぼしてしまい、床が(ゆかが)びたびたに濡れて(ぬれて)いる。
I accidentally spilled water, and the floor is completely soaked.
VisualUsed for a surface covered heavily in liquid.
二人はいつも一緒にいて、びたびたの関係だ。
二人(ふたり)はいつも一緒(いっしょ)にいて、びたびたの関係(かんけい)だ。
The two of them are always together; they have an overly intimate relationship.
FigurativeThis is a metaphor for a couple who are overly affectionate or inseparable.
濡れた傘を置いたので、玄関がびたびたになっている。
濡れた(ぬれた)傘(かさ)を置いた(おいた)ので、玄関が(げんかんが)びたびたになっている。
Because I placed a wet umbrella there, the entranceway has become completely soaked.
VisualFocuses on the floor becoming flooded from a wet object.
Similar Words
ズブズブ
zubuzubu
Shares the nuance of being deeply involved in a relationship, but focuses more on being 'stuck' or sinking.
びしょびしょ
bishobisho
Bishobisho describes a state of being completely soaked or thoroughly drenched. Indicates physical wetness but lacks the figurative 'intimate relationship' meaning.
ビシャビシャ
bishabisha
Describes a state of being completely soaked, a slushy surface, or the sound of splashing water.
びっしょり
bisshori
Completely drenched or soaked through, usually by sweat or rain.
Questions
Is びたびた the same as びしょびしょ?
For physical wetness, they are very similar. However, びたびた has the extra metaphorical meaning of an overly close human relationship, which びしょびしょ lacks.
Can I use びたびた for friendships?
It most commonly refers to romantic couples. If used for friends, it implies they are unusually attached to each other, bordering on codependent.
Is this a polite word?
It is a casual, colloquial word. It is fine for daily conversation among peers but should be avoided in formal or polite business contexts.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2454490
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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