Entry
ボコボコ
bokoboko
Describes something full of dents or bumps, a heavy bubbling sound, or the act of beating someone up severely.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
"Bokoboko" is a highly versatile mimetic word. It primarily describes physical surfaces that are severely dented, full of holes, or uneven, like a damaged car or a bad road. It also represents the gurgling, bubbling sound of boiling water. In colloquial speech, it is widely used as a slang term for beating someone to a pulp or utterly defeating an opponent.
- Dented or highly uneven surfaces
- Loud bubbling sounds
- Slang for severely beating someone up
Sense Map
Dented / Uneven
A physical state of having multiple dents, holes, or a highly uneven surface.
車がボコボコになる
Bubbling Sound
The sound and visual of liquid boiling vigorously with large bubbles.
お湯がボコボコと沸く
Beating Up (Slang)
A colloquial expression meaning to violently beat someone up or completely crush an opponent.
相手をボコボコにする
Usage Note
How to Use
ボコボコになる
To become severely dented, to become extremely uneven, or to get beaten up.
ボコボコにされる
The passive form meaning to be severely beaten up or completely defeated by someone else.
ボコボコの + noun
Used to describe a noun as bumpy, badly dented, or uneven (e.g., a bumpy road).
ボコボコ（と） + verb
Used to describe an action happening with a heavy bubbling or deep hollow hitting sound.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ボコボコになる
to get dented / to get beaten up
ボコボコにされる
to be beaten up / totally defeated
ボコボコの道
a bumpy road / road full of potholes
ボコボコと沸騰する
to boil vigorously with large bubbles
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Damaged surfaces | neutral | Highlights severe physical deformation, bumps, deep potholes, or multiple dents. |
| Fights and matches | negative | A highly informal slang phrase for physically beating someone up or completely obliterating the opposing team in a game. |
| Boiling liquids | neutral | Describes the heavy, rolling boil of water with large bubbles bursting at the surface. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
べこべこ べこべこ / similar | Used for thin materials like plastic bottles or tin cans that dent or buckle with a popping sound. | Bokoboko implies severe damage or a hard, uneven surface, whereas bekobeko is for flimsy materials that easily give in. | ペットボトルがベコベコにへこむ。 |
もこもこ もこもこ / contrast | Used for soft, fluffy, or bulky things like wool sweaters, stuffed animals, or cumulus clouds. | Mokomoko is soft and pleasant, while bokoboko is hard, dented, damaged, or uneven. | モコモコしたセーター。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Describing a puffy winter jacket or a fluffy pillow as "bokoboko".
Use "mokomoko" for soft, fluffy puffiness.
Using "bokoboko ni suru" in a polite conversation to mean someone was defeated.
This is a violent slang phrase and should only be used in casual settings among close friends or when talking about video games.
Examples
Examples
山道は穴だらけでボコボコだった。
やまみちはあなだらけでボコボコだった。
The mountain road was full of holes and bumpy.
LiteralDescribes the uneven surface of the road.
事故で車のドアがボコボコにへこんだ。
じこでくるまのドアがボコボコにへこんだ。
The car door was severely dented in the accident.
VisualEmphasizes that the door has multiple severe dents.
お湯がボコボコと沸騰している。
おゆがボコボコとふっとうしている。
The water is boiling with a heavy bubbling sound.
LiteralDescribes the heavy bubbling sound and movement of boiling water.
彼は試合で相手をボコボコにした。
かれはしあいであいてをボコボコにした。
He completely crushed his opponent in the match.
FigurativeColloquial expression meaning to beat someone up or defeat them overwhelmingly.
荷物を詰めすぎて、カバンがボコボコしている。
にもつをつめすぎて、カバンがボコボコしている。
The bag is lumpy and uneven because it is stuffed with too much stuff.
VisualDescribes an uneven, lumpy shape caused by objects pushing out from the inside.
Similar Words
モコモコ
mokomoko
Soft and fluffy, unlike the hard unevenness of bokoboko.
ベコベコ
bekobeko
Describes a flexible stiff surface being dented, or someone acting in a highly servile and obsequious manner. For thin materials that dent.
ごぼごぼ
gobogobo
The heavy, wet sound of a large amount of liquid bubbling, gurgling, or mixing with air.
ペコペコ
pekopeko
A word describing extreme hunger, the act of bowing repeatedly in a subservient manner, or thin objects easily denting.
Questions
Can I use "bokoboko" if my car gets a single small scratch or dent?
No, "bokoboko" implies a surface is covered in dents or severely misshapen. For a single dent, use the verb "hekomu".
Is it offensive to say "bokoboko ni suru"?
It is not a swear word, but it is an aggressive slang phrase meaning to defeat someone overwhelmingly. You should avoid using it in professional environments.
How does "bokoboko" differ from "pokopoko"?
"Pokopoko" is the lighter version, used for gentle tapping, small soft bubbles, or minor bumps. "Bokoboko" implies heavy impact, deep dents, or strong boiling.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1983930
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- Needs review
- Active language
- English
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