Entry
ビッタリ
bittari
Clinging tightly or adhering heavily without any gaps.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Describes a state where something sticks or clings very closely to a surface. The voiced "b" sound gives it a heavier, stickier, or firmer nuance compared to "pittari", often emphasizing strong physical adherence, wetness causing things to cling, or staying uncomfortably close to someone.
- Adhering strongly to a surface.
- Staying extremely close to someone.
Sense Map
Physical Clinging (Surfaces)
Adhering strongly to a surface without leaving any gaps, often with a sticky, wet, or heavy feeling.
シールが箱にビッタリ張り付く。
Sticking Close (Proximity)
Staying extremely close to someone or something, as if physically glued to them.
子供が母親にビッタリくっつく。
Usage Note
How to Use
ビッタリ（と） + verb
ビッタリ + verb
How to Use
Common Phrases
ビッタリくっつく
to cling tightly
ビッタリ張り付く
to stick firmly (to a surface)
ビッタリ寄り添う
to snuggle very closely
ビッタリ寄せる
to pull up very close (no gap)
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Wet clothing | negative | Often used to describe the uncomfortable feeling of a shirt sticking heavily to the skin due to sweat or rain. |
| Stickers or tape | neutral | Describes a bond so strong that the item cannot be easily peeled off. |
| Small children or pets | positive | Shows affection or seeking security when they physically cling to someone without letting go. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぴったり ぴったり / similar | Used broadly for exact fits, perfect matches, or closing tightly without a heavy or sticky nuance. | Does not emphasize the stickiness, physical heaviness, or wetness of the clinging object like "bittari" does. | サイズがぴったり合う。 |
ぺったり ぺったり / similar | Emphasizes something flat adhering smoothly to a surface (e.g., flat hair). | Focuses on the flat, smooth shape of adherence, whereas "bittari" focuses on the sheer strength of the cling. | 髪が額にぺったりくっつく。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using "bittari" to say a shirt "fits perfectly" in size.
Use "pittari" for exact sizes or perfect matches. "Bittari" makes it sound like the shirt is uncomfortably clinging to your skin, perhaps due to sweat.
Using "bittari" to mean stopping exactly on time or precisely on a spot.
Use "pittari" (e.g., ぴったり止まる) for exact precision. "Bittari" emphasizes physical adherence rather than accuracy.
Examples
Examples
濡れた服が背中にビッタリ張り付いて気持ち悪い。
濡れた(ぬれた)服(ふく)が背中(せなか)にビッタリ(びったり)張り付いて(はりついて)気持ち悪い(きもちわるい)。
The wet clothes are clinging heavily to my back and feel uncomfortable.
VisualShows the negative nuance of something wet clinging to the skin.
迷子になりかけた子供は、母親の足にビッタリとくっついて離れなかった。
迷子(まいご)になりかけた子供(こども)は、母親(ははおや)の足(あし)にビッタリ(びったり)とくっついて離れなかった(はなれなかった)。
The child who almost got lost clung tightly to their mother's leg and wouldn't let go.
LiteralDescribes someone physically clinging out of fear or seeking security.
シールが箱にビッタリくっついていて、きれいに剥がせない。
シール(しーる)が箱(はこ)にビッタリ(びったり)くっついていて、きれいに剥がせない(はがせない)。
The sticker is stuck firmly to the box and cannot be peeled off cleanly.
LiteralAn example of using this for inanimate objects with strong adhesive.
寒いので、二匹の猫はストーブの前でビッタリ寄り添って寝ている。
寒い(さむい)ので、二匹(にひき)の猫(ねこ)はストーブ(すとーぶ)の前(まえ)でビッタリ(びったり)寄り添って(よりそって)寝ている(ねている)。
Because it's cold, the two cats are sleeping snuggled tightly together in front of the heater.
VisualShows a warm nuance of two entities snuggling very closely without gaps.
隣の車がビッタリ寄せて駐車しているので、ドアが開けられない。
隣(となり)の車(くるま)がビッタリ(びったり)寄せて(よせて)駐車(ちゅうしゃ)しているので、ドア(どあ)が開けられない(あけられない)。
The next car is parked extremely close, so the door cannot be opened.
VisualUsed when the distance between two objects is so narrow they are almost touching.
Similar Words
ぴったり
pittari
Describes things that fit perfectly, match exactly, or an action that stops completely. The unvoiced version, used for precision and perfect fits without the heavy/sticky nuance.
ぺったり
pettari
Describes something that sticks closely and flatly to a surface without gaps or volume. Focuses on a flat shape adhering to a flat surface.
Questions
What is the difference between "pittari" and "bittari"?
"Pittari" is a very common word meaning "exactly," "perfectly," or "fitting well." "Bittari," with the voiced 'b' sound, specifically emphasizes a heavy, strong, or sometimes sticky physical clinging (like a wet shirt on skin).
Can I use "bittari" for clothing size?
No. If you say a shirt is "bittari," it sounds like it is sticking heavily to your body. To say it's the right size, use "pittari."
Does "bittari" always have a negative meaning?
Not always, but because it implies strong physical adherence, it is often used for slightly uncomfortable situations (wet clothes clinging, stickers that won't come off, someone standing too close). However, animals or children snuggling "bittari" can be cute.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2859055
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- ペシペシ (peshipeshi)
- Next entry
- ドスドス (dosudosu)